Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent strike against Al Ahli raised his tally in finals to 25 goals across 40 appearances, underlining his consistency and ability to step up when it matters most. Yet, despite this impressive record, he still trails his greatest rival, Lionel Messi, in this category.
Messi currently holds the all-time record for goals in finals, with 35 goals in 49 appearances. His most recent came in the 2023 Leagues Cup final, when he scored the opener for Inter Miami against Nashville SC, guiding his team to the first major trophy in its history. Between them stands Brazilian legend Pelé, who scored 31 goals in finals.
In terms of team success, Messi has featured in 43 single-match finals (50 including two-legged formats), winning 31 and losing only 12—an outstanding record. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has appeared in 37 finals, winning 25 trophies and losing 12. His most recent international success came with Portugal in the Nations League, while his last club trophy in a final was the 2021 Coppa Italia with Juventus.
One striking difference is consistency: Messi not only scores in finals but also tends to be decisive in helping his teams secure victory. Ronaldo, while still impactful, has shown less stability in finals during recent years.
Overall, both are among the greatest players in football history when it comes to finals. However, Messi edges ahead of Ronaldo in goals, win percentage, and overall effectiveness on the biggest stage.
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