When compared side-by-side, Messi has scored more open-play goals than Ronaldo on six occasions, while the former has done the same on five occasions. Interestingly, Messi has scored more open-play goals in fewer games than Ronaldo has, with an average of one such goal every 12.0 games and a goal from outside the box every 18.4 games.
Lionel Messi
In open play goals, Messi has scored more than Ronaldo. Both players have scored at least six in a season, but Messi has scored more of them than Ronaldo, despite playing fewer games than his Portuguese counterpart. They have scored out of the box about every 12.0 games, while Ronaldo has scored an outofthebox goal in every 18.4 games.
The two have scored more in the Champions League than in the Premier League, but Messi has the edge in overall goal scoring. Ronaldo’s best season return is 61, while Messi has more than 73 overall. Both players have surpassed the 50-goal mark for six straight seasons. However, Messi’s season average dropped after joining PSG in 2021-22.
While Messi’s record is higher than Ronaldo’s, the Brazilian has more outof-the-box goals than the Argentine. Ronaldo has more than ten open play goals. His best effort came against Porto in the 2009 Champions League, a stunning 40-yard strike that won the Puskas Award for best goal of the year. If you want to know more about Ronaldo’s out-of-the-box goals, then read on!
Both Messi and Ronaldo have a number of trophies and individual honors. However, Ronaldo is a more prolific player than Messi. He is also more prolific with his shot attempts, which helps to explain his ‘out-of-the-box’ goal. But both players have one thing in common: they are both prolific goal scorers. Cristiano Ronaldo is a better striker.
Cristiano Ronaldo
During his Real Madrid and Juventus careers, Ronaldo has scored 29 open play goals compared to six by Messi. While Ronaldo has played 148 fewer games, Messi has more open play goals than Ronaldo. However, both players have scored at least one open play goal every 12 games. Read on to discover why. And see how they compare in a game-by-game comparison.
When comparing the two men, the most striking difference between the two players is their strength in a certain position. Messi has the strength and size in his left foot, while Ronaldo has a stronger left foot. Both players have scored more than seven goals with their right foot. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a greater percentage of out-of-the-box goals than Messi, which makes him a better threat in this area.
The difference in age is not significant. Messi is a year older than Ronaldo, but Ronaldo has 58 more hat-tricks. The Portugal forward is the most prolific goal scorer in world football history. Messi has a shorter career, but it doesn’t mean he is a lesser player. Messi has more goals, but Ronaldo has more.
In the past decade, Ronaldo and Messi have played with different teams and achieved similar success. Both players have also won a number of individual awards. The two have been recognized for their incredible performances and have been named the best player in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking goals have earned him a place in the Best Players in the World list, but Messi is the one who continues to challenge for the title.
Hakan Calhanoglu
Since 2013, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more out-of-the-box goals than Turkish international Hakan Calhanoglu. However, this statistic only reflects the goals he has scored in the box, not the overall goals he has scored. While Messi has more shots on goal (38), Calhanoglu has converted more chances from the penalty spot, with 22 of his goals coming from set-pieces.
Despite his relatively young age, Hakan Calhanoglu is an excellent long-range striker who has scored 26 out-of-the-box goals in a single season for Borussia Dortmund. With his set-piece abilities, the Turkish international has become a first-team regular for his country and club. Now, he’s heading to AC Milan for a transfer to the Italian giants.
After making his Bundesliga debut in 2012, Calhanoglu has enjoyed a fruitful season, with 11 goals and four assists in 36 games. While his out-of-the-box goals have been less spectacular than those of Ronaldo and Messi, he has a more mature game than either of them. The winger’s first season at Hamburg was an impressive one. Not only did he make a significant impact, but he also helped the only team that never dropped to the second division.
When comparing their out-of-the-box stats, Messi has more out-of-the-box goals than Ronaldo, albeit fewer total goals from outside the box. Messi, by contrast, has scored more than Ronaldo in more games, but has fewer goals in less time. Messi has more out-of-the-box goals from fewer shots than Ronaldo.
Neymar
Neymar’s stats are impressive. Last season he scored 15 goals in all competitions, while Ronaldo scored 23 in 2006-07. Both have impressive records, but the Brazilian is already surpassing both Messi and Ronaldo in terms of domestic and international goals. Ronaldo is the most decorated player in Brazil’s history, having won two world cups, four Champions League trophies, and countless other honours. Not only that, but Ronaldo also dated supermodels and actresses.
Messi and Ronaldo are both prolific goal-scorers, but Neymar has more out-of-the-box goals than either of them. Messi leads the way with four long-range goals while Ronaldo has seven. Neymar has more long-range goals, but both players have more assists. While Ronaldo has a lower overall goal-scoring average than Messi, he has contributed to many of his teams’ championship-winning goals.
While both players have an admirable assist record, both players have been accused of being petulant at times. Both players have been accused of feigning injury or going down too easily to help their teams. Despite these criticisms, they both have an undeniable love for the game and the desire to win. Despite this, the final scores between Messi and Ronaldo show the tight competition between these two stars.
Despite their differences in age, Neymar has more out-of-the-box goals than either Messi or Ronaldo. Both have more goals in the open play than either of them. Furthermore, Neymar has more free-kick goals than both. But Ronaldo scored screamers for two different clubs. So who is the better goal-scorer?
Neymar Jr.
At only 25 years old, Neymar has already scored more goals than Messi and Ronaldo combined. With eye-catching flair, impressive ambidexterity, and the occasional theatrics, he has become one of the top players in the world. Sports Mole compares Neymar to Ronaldo and Messi, but they don’t share the same statistics. Messi has won 37 major trophies and Neymar has only won two, both in club soccer.
It’s fair to say that Neymar isn’t receiving the credit he deserves for his outstanding form and creativity. He has been involved in controversy and transfer rumours, and he’s been on the pitch for hours at a time. Still, despite all the negatives, he’s one of the best forwards in the world. Without the likes of Messi and Ronaldo, he would be the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or award.
Neymar has been a fantastic sidekick to Messi, scoring 41 goals and providing 16 assists in just 53 appearances for Barcelona. He scored in every knockout game, including the final against Juventus. Neymar also played more minutes in the Champions League than any other player. He created 34 chances in the competition in 2015, more than any other Barca player.
When comparing Neymar’s international goals with Ronaldo and Messi, it’s clear that Neymar Jr. is the better player. Ronaldo is the greatest goalscorer of all time, while Messi is the best player in the world. While the Portuguese superstar has achieved greatness in club football, Neymar has made an incredible impact in the international arena.
