2016 was an eventful year in football, and for its two best players – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. In the space of 12 months, they endured shocking lows and new highs.
For the Argentine, there was yet another final heartbreak; retirement from international football; a hero’s return to La Albiceleste; and an excellent start to this season. For the Portuguese ace, early frustration at Euro 2016 turned into jubilation; his best days were behind him until scoring a Madrid derby hat-trick; and he won several individual and collective accolades.
Goals, goals, and more goals
We can’t speak of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo without analyzing their goals, and for a very obvious reason: they score a ridiculous amount. Without further ado, here’s how they fared in 2016:
Overall stats
Messi: 62 games, 59 goals
Cristiano: 57 games, 55 goals
La Liga alone
Messi: 35 games, 32 goals
Cristiano: 30 games, 30 goals
Champions League alone
Messi: 9 games, 13 goals
Cristiano: 12 games, 7 goals
National team
Messi: 11 games, 8 goals
Cristiano: 13 games, 13 goals
Messi has more goals in all but one category. However, it should be noted that the Argentine played more games in La Liga and in general. In fact, Cristiano boasts a better goals-per-game ratio than Leo except in the Champions League. In fact, Ronaldo averaged a goal every game in two categories.
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Assists: Who was the better provider?
Overal stats
Leo: 62 games, 32 assists
Ronaldo: 57 games, 17 assists
La Liga alone
Leo: 35 games, 15 assists
Ronaldo: 30 games, 9 assists
Champions League alone
Leo: 9 games, 2 assists
Ronaldo: 12 games, 5 assists
National team
Leo: 11 games, 7 assists
Ronaldo: 13 games, 3 assists
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was the better assist provider all together in 2016, but it comes as little surprise. There is a reason why La Pulga was named the IFFHS Playmaker of the Year.
Messi named best playmaker in the world ahead of Iniesta and Toni Kroos #fcblive (@sport) pic.twitter.com/xV52woGNzB
— FC Barcelona Fl (@FCBarcelonaFl) December 30, 2016
Trophy count – close, yet miles apart
Messi: three collective titles won
Cristiano: four collective titles won
In number, they were close. Unfortunately, Messi most likely envies his counterpart because Cristiano did the one thing Leo is yet to do: win a trophy for his national team. Whilst La Pulga suffered heartbreak yet again, losing the Copa America Centenario final this time, Ronaldo captained his nation to Euro 2016 success.
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And as a result, individual accolades followed for the 31-year-old. The most notable ones were the Best Player in Europe award, the Globe Soccer Awards’ Best Player of the Year prize, and the Ballon d’Or.
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