Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand tall as icons of modern football. For over two decades, these extraordinary athletes have captivated fans worldwide, consistently redefining the beautiful game.
Their sustained brilliance, even beyond the age of 30, is truly remarkable, surpassing the achievements of many footballers in their prime. Consider this: Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a staggering 84 of his 136 international goals for Portugal after turning 30. In fact, only Romelu Lukaku and Robert Lewandowski have surpassed him in international goals during this timeframe. Ronaldo’s international trophy cabinet also began filling after 30, starting with Euro 2016 at the age of 31, followed by the UEFA Nations League three years later.
Given that Cristiano Ronaldo is approximately two and a half years older than Lionel Messi, the Argentine maestro has had slightly less time to accumulate post-30 statistics.
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Yet, Lionel Messi’s accomplishments are equally impressive. While he has scored fewer international goals (30 less) in slightly fewer appearances (28 less) than Ronaldo post-30, Messi leads in assists, having registered 22 more. Moreover, Messi boasts a slightly superior goal contribution rate, being involved in a goal or assist every 82 minutes compared to Ronaldo’s every 84 minutes since turning 30.
Adding to his legacy, Messi remarkably secured all of his international trophies after his 30th birthday. This includes ending Argentina’s 28-year major trophy drought with the Copa America in 2021 at age 34, followed by the Finalissima and the FIFA World Cup. He then added another Copa America title, solidifying his post-30 international dominance.
Will Football Icons Messi and Ronaldo Grace the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Exciting news for football enthusiasts! Reports from TNT Sports suggest that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are anticipated to represent their nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Even at 40 years old, Ronaldo’s contributions to both club and country remain invaluable.
This season, the Portuguese phenomenon has netted an impressive 28 goals in 33 appearances for Al-Nassr. His recent goal against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg marked his 929th career goal, showcasing his enduring scoring prowess.
Lionel Messi, although recently hampered by injuries and absent from Argentina’s victory against Uruguay and the subsequent game against Brazil, is still widely expected to be a crucial part of their 2026 World Cup campaign. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has illuminated the MLS with his mesmerizing skills and continues to demonstrate his magical talent on the field.
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