Who has more world cup goals Messi or Ronaldo?

In the debate “who has more world cup goals Messi or Ronaldo,” Lionel Messi has asserted his superiority in the World Cup arena with 13 goals, far surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo, who only has 8 goals. Messi’s World Cup career spans from 2006 to 2022, with the peak mark at the tournament in Qatar, where he scored 7 goals, including 2 in the final against France, helping Argentina win the championship after a penalty shootout. Meanwhile, despite scoring in every World Cup he has participated in, Ronaldo has not been able to create a similar feat, with the furthest he has gone was the semi-finals in 2006. This achievement not only reflects the difference in scoring ability but also highlights Messi’s influence in bringing great glory to the Argentina national team. This article from Premiumsoccertips will help you find the answer to that question.

Learn about the careers of Messi and Ronaldo

Messi’s World Cup career

Before he officially won the title in 2022 after a penalty shootout win over France, Messi came very close to winning the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014, when Argentina were beaten by Germany in the final after scoring four goals in seven games at the tournament.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was particularly disappointing for Messi: he failed to score as Argentina were eliminated in the quarter-finals, and he only managed one goal at the 2006 and 2018 World Cups.

Barca’s all-time top scorer is known for his form on the big stage. He has scored regularly in the Champions League, but has never scored in a match beyond the round of 16 at the World Cup.

Until the 2022 tournament, he produced a brilliant effort to open the scoring against Australia.

Messi’s next two goals came from the penalty spot: he scored one in the quarter-final against the Netherlands and then from a 12-yard strike in the shootout. He broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the semi-final against Croatia.

In the final, he scored two more, helping Argentina lift the trophy in spectacular fashion.

Ronaldo’s World Cup career

Despite winning Euro 2016 with Portugal, Ronaldo’s World Cup career has not reached the same level of brilliance as he has established in club competitions.

Ronaldo has scored in every World Cup he has played in. However, like Messi, his overall record in finals is modest: eight goals in 19 appearances.

Ronaldo’s closest to World Cup glory was his first appearance in the tournament in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals in Germany. Since then, Portugal have generally struggled, culminating in a 1-0 quarter-final loss to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.

Choosing a reliable betting site is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable online gambling experience

Who has scored more goals at the World Cup, Messi or Ronaldo?

Lionel Messi has asserted his superiority over Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup arena by scoring a total of 13 goals, 8 more than Ronaldo. Messi’s World Cup career spans the 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions. Notably, at the 2022 World Cup, he scored 7 goals, including two in the final against France, helping Argentina win the championship after a penalty shootout. This is the first time Messi has lifted the prestigious trophy, fulfilling his dream after coming close to it in 2014 but losing to Germany in the final.

In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo, despite being one of the best players in history, has not been able to leave a similar mark. He has scored in every World Cup he has played in from 2006 to 2022, but his total tally is modest at eight goals in 19 games. Ronaldo’s best run at the World Cup was in 2006, when Portugal reached the semi-finals but lost to France. Since then, the Portuguese team has not achieved high results, typically losing to Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

The superior number of goals and the championship in 2022 helped Messi affirm the difference in his international career. He is not only the one who scores more goals but also the player who brings the greatest glory to the national team at the most prestigious tournament on the planet.

Who has scored the most goals at the World Cup?

It’s not Pele, or Diego Maradona, or (Brazilian) Ronaldo who has scored the most goals at the World Cup. In fact, it’s Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

His compatriot Gerd Muller has held the record since 1974 with his 14th goal in the final for West Germany against the Netherlands. He surpassed France’s Just Fontaine, who had scored 13 in six games.

Ronaldo followed Muller in 2006 when he scored his 15th World Cup goal, before Klose set a new target of 16 goals by scoring in Germany’s famous 7-1 win over Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals.

Of current players, Lionel Messi – with 13 – is the highest scorer at the World Cup, tied for fourth on the all-time list. However, Kylian Mbappe has 12 goals at the age of 23 after a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final.

The bottom line

When it comes to the question “who has more world cup goals Messi or Ronaldo,” Lionel Messi clearly has the upper hand with 13 goals compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 8. This achievement not only proves Messi’s excellent scoring ability on the biggest stage but also affirms that he is a symbol of success for the Argentina team, especially with the 2022 World Cup championship. On the contrary, despite being a legend in the football world, Ronaldo has not been able to make a similar mark in this tournament. The difference in the number of goals and international achievements at the World Cup is a clear testament to Messi’s influence in football history. This adds to the appeal of the never-ending debate between the two greatest superstars in the world.

See more: How much does a mls player make?