While Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 919 goals in his career, the goals that Messi has scored so far

In the world of football, the names Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are often mentioned in the same breath, with each player considered one of the greatest to ever play the game. As of 2025, Ronaldo has surpassed a monumental milestone, reaching 919 career goals, while Messi stands at an impressive 850 goals. These figures not only highlight the extraordinary longevity and consistency of both players but also provide a fascinating glimpse into the ongoing rivalry that has defined the footballing world for nearly two decades.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Journey to 919 Goals

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward who began his professional career with Sporting CP before making history at clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has built an incredible legacy through his ability to score goals consistently. With 919 career goals to his name, Ronaldo’s tally is a testament to his exceptional physicality, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Ronaldo’s goal-scoring journey began in Portugal, but it was during his time at Manchester United that he first gained worldwide recognition as a prolific scorer. Over six seasons at United, Ronaldo netted 118 goals, but it was at Real Madrid where he truly cemented his place as one of the game’s all-time greats. During a nine-season spell in Madrid, Ronaldo scored an astonishing 450 goals, making him the club's all-time top scorer by a significant margin.

Ronaldo's success didn’t end with Real Madrid. After moving to Juventus in 2018, he continued his prolific form, scoring 101 goals in three seasons. In 2021, he made a return to Manchester United for a brief but impactful period, before switching to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in 2023, where he continues to add to his tally.

What sets Ronaldo apart is his ability to score in a variety of ways—whether through powerful shots, free kicks, headers, or penalties. His remarkable physical attributes, including his speed, strength, and aerial ability, have enabled him to thrive in diverse leagues and remain a lethal force on the field, even as he gets older. His drive to keep pushing the boundaries of his career and maintain peak physical condition has helped him extend his goal-scoring exploits well into his late 30s.

Messi’s 850 Career Goals

Lionel Messi, the Argentine genius who spent the majority of his career at Barcelona before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and later returning to his home country to play for Inter Miami in 2023, is another icon of the footballing world. As of 2025, Messi has scored 850 goals in official matches, a record that, while not as high as Ronaldo’s, is still an extraordinary achievement by any standard.

Messi’s career began at Barcelona, where he developed into the most feared playmaker and goal scorer in the world. Over 17 seasons at the club, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 appearances, making him Barcelona's all-time top scorer. His ability to dribble, create chances, and score from virtually any position on the pitch became legendary, and his vision and intelligence made him a truly unique player.

In 2021, Messi made a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he continued to add to his goal tally in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. After leaving PSG in 2023, Messi signed with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he has continued to perform at an elite level, albeit in a less competitive environment compared to Europe’s top leagues. His tally of 850 goals reflects his exceptional consistency and creativity, even in his 30s, when many players’ careers begin to decline.

While Messi may have scored fewer goals than Ronaldo, his style of play has often been less reliant on physical dominance and more focused on technical brilliance, vision, and playmaking. Messi’s dribbling, passing, and finishing have been his hallmarks, making him not just a goal scorer, but also one of the best creators of chances the sport has ever seen.

Comparing the Two Legends

The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has been one of the defining narratives in football for more than a decade. While both players have achieved unprecedented success at the club level and internationally, their career trajectories and playing styles have been distinctly different.

Ronaldo, known for his sheer athleticism, adaptability, and incredible work ethic, has managed to score goals at an extraordinary rate in multiple leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and now the Saudi Pro League. His ability to adjust to different playing styles and continue to score in various competitions is a testament to his adaptability and drive.

On the other hand, Messi, the maestro of Barcelona and now Inter Miami, has made his mark with his unrivaled playmaking skills and natural ability to score goals through his dribbling, vision, and creativity. Messi’s approach to the game is more fluid, often dropping deeper into midfield to create chances for his teammates before finishing off moves himself. While his goal-scoring tally is slightly behind Ronaldo’s, Messi’s role as a playmaker and the way he elevates those around him adds another layer to his incredible career.

Both players have won numerous Ballon d'Or titles, and their rivalry has led to countless debates over who is the greatest of all time. While Ronaldo’s 919 goals currently outpace Messi’s 850, the two players remain at the pinnacle of footballing greatness, with their records and individual achievements likely to endure for many years.

Conclusion

As of 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo has reached an impressive 919 career goals, while Lionel Messi is close behind with 850. Both players have rewritten the history books in football and continue to inspire millions of fans around the world. Whether through Ronaldo's goal-scoring consistency or Messi’s unparalleled technical ability, both players have solidified their legacies as two of the greatest footballers to ever grace the pitch. Their ongoing rivalry, marked by these extraordinary goal-scoring feats, will continue to captivate football fans for years to come.