For nearly two decades, two names have dominated the world of soccer: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their rivalry has defined a generation, sparking endless debates in stadiums, pubs, and online forums. While arguments over who is the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) often come down to playing style, goals scored, and on-field magic, one of the most concrete measures of success is the trophy cabinet.
This article provides a definitive breakdown of the Messi vs Ronaldo trophies debate. We will compare their individual awards, club championships, and international victories to offer a clear, numbers-based perspective on their incredible careers. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive answer to which of these titans has accumulated more silverware.
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A Head-to-Head Trophy Comparison
To settle the score, we need to categorize their achievements. The world of professional soccer offers three main types of trophies: club, international, and individual. Let’s break down how Messi and Ronaldo stack up in each.
As of late 2024, Lionel Messi leads Cristiano Ronaldo with 44 official career trophies to Ronaldo’s 35.
While that top-line number gives Messi the edge, the story behind the trophies reveals the different paths these legends have traveled.
Club Trophies: Domestic and Continental Dominance
Club trophies are the backbone of a player’s legacy, earned through grueling league seasons and knockout tournaments. Both Messi and Ronaldo have found immense success, but their journeys have been different. Messi spent the majority of his prime at a single club, FC Barcelona, while Ronaldo conquered several of Europe’s top leagues.
Lionel Messi (39 Club Trophies)
Messi’s legend was forged at FC Barcelona, where he won a staggering 35 trophies. His time there is synonymous with one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
- La Liga (10): The top-tier Spanish league title.
- Copa del Rey (7): Spain’s primary domestic cup.
- Supercopa de España (8): The super cup competition.
- UEFA Champions League (4): The most prestigious club competition in Europe.
- UEFA Super Cup (3): A match between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League.
- FIFA Club World Cup (3): A tournament for the champion clubs from each continental federation.
After leaving Barcelona, Messi added to his collection with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Miami.
- Ligue 1 (2): The top-tier French league title with PSG.
- Trophée des Champions (1): The French super cup with PSG.
- Leagues Cup (1): A tournament between MLS and Liga MX clubs, won with Inter Miami.
Cristiano Ronaldo (32 Club Trophies)
Ronaldo’s path is one of a conqueror, winning league titles in England, Spain, and Italy—a feat no other player has matched.
- Manchester United (10 trophies):
- Premier League (3)
- FA Cup (1)
- English League Cup (2)
- Community Shield (1)
- UEFA Champions League (1)
- FIFA Club World Cup (1)
- Real Madrid (16 trophies):
- La Liga (2)
- Copa del Rey (2)
- Supercopa de España (2)
- UEFA Champions League (4)
- UEFA Super Cup (3)
- FIFA Club World Cup (3)
- Juventus (5 trophies):
- Serie A (2)
- Coppa Italia (1)
- Supercoppa Italiana (2)
- Al Nassr (1 trophy):
- Arab Club Champions Cup (1)
While Ronaldo has won trophies at more clubs across different top-tier leagues, Messi’s sheer volume of titles, largely from his time at Barcelona, gives him the clear advantage in this category.
International Trophies: Glory for Country
Winning for one’s country carries a special weight, and for a long time, it was the one area where both players faced criticism. However, in the later stages of their careers, both Messi and Ronaldo secured the major international honors that had eluded them.
Lionel Messi (5 International Trophies)
Messi finally silenced his critics by leading Argentina to glory on the world’s biggest stages.
- FIFA World Cup (1): The pinnacle of international soccer, won in 2022.
- Copa América (1): South America’s premier national team tournament, won in 2021.
- CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions (Finalissima) (1): A one-off match between the champions of South America and Europe.
- Olympic Gold Medal (1): Won with the U-23 team in 2008.
- FIFA U-20 World Cup (1): Won in 2005.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2 International Trophies)
Ronaldo was instrumental in delivering Portugal its first-ever major trophies, cementing his status as a national hero.
- UEFA European Championship (1): Europe’s top national team competition, won in 2016.
- UEFA Nations League (1): A biennial international competition, won in 2019.
Here, Messi has a clear lead. His World Cup victory in 2022 is widely considered the crowning achievement of his career, elevating his international trophy count above Ronaldo’s.
Individual Awards: The Battle for a Golden Ball
While team trophies are the ultimate goal, individual awards reflect a player’s personal brilliance. The most coveted of these is the Ballon d’Or, awarded annually to the world’s best player.
- Ballon d’Or: Messi leads with 8 wins, while Ronaldo has 5. This significant gap is a major factor in the GOAT debate.
- FIFA The Best Men’s Player: Messi has won this award 3 times to Ronaldo’s 2.
- European Golden Shoe: Awarded to the top goalscorer in Europe’s top leagues, Messi has won 6 times, while Ronaldo has won 4.
Across the most prestigious individual honors, Messi has consistently outperformed Ronaldo, further solidifying his claim in the head-to-head comparison.
The Final Trophy Tally Messi vs Ronaldo
The numbers speak for themselves. Lionel Messi has won more official trophies than Cristiano Ronaldo. His dominance in individual awards and his recent international successes, capped by the FIFA World Cup, have created a clear gap in their respective trophy cabinets.
While Ronaldo’s achievement of winning top-flight leagues in three different countries is a unique and remarkable accomplishment, it isn’t enough to close the overall gap. The debate over who is the better player will rage on, fueled by subjective measures of skill and style. But when it comes to the hardware, the verdict is in.
