13 Ballon d’Ors
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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the most recognizable footballers of all time as a result of their incredible careers spanning three decades. The iconic duo has earned 13 Ballon d’Ors so far, with Messi winning the most in the awards history with eight Ballon d’Ors. The two were constantly measured against each other’s achievements throughout their careers and were comfortably the two best players in the world for a decade.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in Champions League history with 140 goals and has won the most prestigious club competition once more than Argentina, but Messi will lead his country to World Cup glory in 2022. Both players have now reached the twilight of their astonishing careers with Messi playing with Inter Miami in MLS and Ronaldo playing with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Transfermarkt’s market value updates for the Saudi Pro League and MLS arrived this week and both superstars received downgrades. Messi’s earnings have dropped by €5m to €20m, while Ronaldo – who is two years older than his counterpart – has dropped by €3m to €12m.
Career market values of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo compared
Ronaldo is two years older than Barcelona legend Messi and this was reflected when Transfermarkt’s market values were established. The Portuguese attacker cost €20 million, while Messi was valued at just €3m. The market value of both players increased over the years and Messi overtook Ronaldo in 2007, when his value increased to €40m. Ronaldo overtook Messi in 2008 when he won his first Ballon d’Or and his market value remained higher than that of Argentina until 2011. Messi’s valuation reached €120m in 2012 – €20m more than Ronaldo for two years – until Ronaldo was the first Real Madrid star to join him in 2014.
Ronaldo’s record market value was €120m, but it declined in 2016 and 2017 before returning to its peak in 2018 during his last season at Real Madrid. Remarkably, Messi’s valuation remained at €120m for six years between 2012 and 2018, but it reached its record high of €180m in 2018 when he was undisputedly the best player on the planet. The valuations of both players naturally declined as they aged, with Ronaldo making less than €40m a year at Juventus. The 38-year-old re-joined Manchester United in an emotional move in 2021 before joining current club Al-Nassr. Ronaldo is still scoring goals at an incredible rate and he remains the most valuable player born in 1985. Messi’s market value trajectory has followed a similar path to Ronaldo’s, but he has been more valued over the past ten seasons, primarily due to his age.