Football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi consistently rank among the greatest goal-scorers in the history of FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns. While both iconic players boast impressive records that solidify their place in football lore, current statistics highlight that Ronaldo, the captain of the Portuguese national team, holds a superior advantage over his Argentine counterpart in this specific competitive arena.
Both superstars are currently engaged in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a tournament that could potentially mark their final appearance on the global stage. This edition of the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, could see both Ronaldo and Messi make their sixth appearance in the prestigious competition, extending their remarkable careers beyond two decades since their debut in 2006.
Just last week, Ronaldo showcased his enduring prowess by netting two crucial goals for Portugal. These strikes contributed significantly to a commanding 5-0 victory over Armenia on the opening day of Group H in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. These two goals propelled the nearly 40-year-old forward’s tally to an impressive 38 goals in World Cup qualifiers, putting him two goals ahead of Messi’s current record.
Similarly, the Argentine football maestro, Lionel Messi, also found the back of the net twice in his most recent World Cup qualifier appearance. Playing on home soil, he helped the Argentine national team secure a 3-0 triumph against Venezuela. These goals brought the 38-year-old’s total to 36 goals in World Cup qualifiers, a journey that also began with his debut in 2006.
Currently, Portugal is actively competing for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup, offering Ronaldo further opportunities to extend his goal-scoring record. In contrast, Argentina has already secured its qualification from the CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) qualifiers, meaning Messi’s immediate focus in qualifiers is on maintaining form rather than battling for a spot.
When examining the raw statistics specifically for World Cup qualifiers, Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr, appears to have a notable edge over the Argentine superstar.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of their World Cup qualifier statistics:
**Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal):**
* Total Appearances: 48 matches
* Goals Scored: 38
* Assists: 11
* Total Goal Contributions: 49
* Penalty Goals: 4
* Minutes Per Goal: 106.4 minutes
* Minutes Per Penalty Goal: 118.9 minutes
* Minutes Per Assist: 82.5 minutes
**Lionel Messi (Argentina):**
* Total Appearances: 72 matches
* Goals Scored: 36
* Assists: 13
* Total Goal Contributions: 49
* Penalty Goals: 7
* Minutes Per Goal: 166 minutes
* Minutes Per Penalty Goal: 206.1 minutes
* Minutes Per Assist: 122 minutes
While both players boast an identical total of 49 goal contributions in World Cup qualifiers, Ronaldo has achieved his impressive tally in significantly fewer appearances and with a more efficient minutes-per-goal ratio, underscoring his statistical lead in this specific aspect of their illustrious careers.
