For years, one question loomed over the extraordinary careers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. While both players had a wealth of goals, assists, and trophies to their name, one piece of silverware had always eluded them - an international cup.
This all changed in 2016 when Ronaldo won the European Championships with Portugal. Messi then replicated this triumph by winning the Copa America with Argentina in 2021.
Now, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, we can compare the achievements of both players on the international stage. From a football bets perspective, it also raises questions on how Portugal and Argentina will perform in the World Cup this year.
Comparing Messi's and Ronaldo’s International Trophies
Both Messi and Ronaldo have won several club trophies. Messi’s European trophies are predominantly in Spain and France. Ronaldo's are in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and England with Manchester United, who have 150/1 odds to lift the trophy with English Premier League winner betting.
Internationally, Messi is just edging Ronaldo in terms of senior trophies, 4 to 3. The titles they have picked up for Argentina and Portugal, respectively, include:
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Messi: Copa América (2021, 2024), World Cup (2022), Finalissima (2022)
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Ronaldo: Euros (2016), Nations League (2019, 2025)
In terms of individual performances, both Messi and Ronaldo were standouts in the tournaments they won. Although he was sent off injured in the 2016 Euros final, Ronaldo was instrumental to the team's success, scoring 3 goals in the tournament. This was a feat he achieved again in the Nations League 2019 finals. In the 2025 finals, he scored twice.
Messi was the top scorer in the 2021 Copa America with 4 goals. He scored a total of 7 goals during the 2022 World Cup, but only once during the 2025 Copa America.
Some critics may suggest that, in terms of tournaments, the trophy list is actually tied 3-3, as the Finalissima is actually a one-off game against the winners of the Copa America and the Euros (a game that did not exist when Ronaldo won the Euros in 2016).
However, the World Cup is certainly the most prestigious trophy of the lot. Something Ronaldo will be eager to achieve in the United States this summer.
Will Messi and Ronaldo Face Each Other in the 2026 World Cup?
Messi has yet to confirm whether he will be available for the 2026 World Cup in America. At 39, the Argentine has said that he still has a desire to play in this tournament, but "At worst, I’ll be watching".
If he chooses to play, then Messi and Ronaldo could, in fact, play each other in an exhilarating quarter-final, as it would be Argentina vs Portugal if both teams finished top of their respective groups and won their last-32 and round of 16 games.
The whole world will surely have its eyes on this match, as well as the tournament as a whole, to see if Messi or Ronaldo can add to their illustrious international trophy cabinet.