It’s no secret that Pep Guardiola holds Lionel Messi in high regard. Nevertheless, his recent commendation of the Argentine star is likely to stir some feelings among Cristiano Ronaldo supporters. In fact, Guardiola referred to La Pulga as the “father” of CR7.

Recently, Pep Guardiola sat down in an interview where he discussed Rodri’s victory at the Ballon d’Or. He remarked, “Messi, nobody could beat him.” He went on to add, ” Just Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano was a monster and the father of the monster is Messi.” Quite bold!

However, he wrapped up his thoughts by acknowledging both players for their dominance over two decades and noted how stars like Andres Iniesta missed out on the Ballon d’Or due to the presence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Having heard from Pep Guardiola now lets us analyze whether his assertions hold weight.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: comparison

It’s undeniable that both players have enjoyed iconic careers that many aspire to replicate. Let’s examine their club achievements first. Lionel Messi has made 890 appearances, during which he scored 737 goals and provided 321 assists. In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo has played in 1,030 matches, netting 774 goals and recording 219 assists.

He is also the all-time top goal scorer with 907 goals. On the international front, The Inter Miami star has represented Argentina in 189 games, scoring an impressive 112 goals and assisting another 57 times. Meanwhile, the Al Nassr star holds the record for most international goals with a staggering 133 strikes alongside his contribution of 36 assists.

Lionel Messi’s trophy collection is unparalleled in soccer history with a total of 46 titles including four Champions League victories, one World Cup title, two Copa America wins, and twelve league championships. Conversely, Cristiano Ronaldo trails behind with a tally of 33 trophies which include five Champions League titles as well as one UEFA Euro Championship medal along with three Premier League titles, two La Liga crowns, and two Serie A medals.

When it comes to individual accolades; once again Messi outshines Ronaldo with eight Ballon d’Or awards compared to the Portuguese legend’s five; similarly he leads in FIFA Player of the Year (8-5) and European Golden Shoe (6-4). However, when discussing penalties scored—Ronaldo takes the lead with 168 converted spot-kicks against the ex-Barca star’s tally of just 109. On free kicks, however, this time Lionel Messi slightly nudges ahead with his count at 66 while Ronaldo follows closely at 64.

Ultimately, this comparison highlights subjective opinions largely influenced by fan allegiances. Their remarkable contributions undeniably left a significant imprint on the sport overall. With these achievements considered—what do you think? Is Pep Guardiola correct in labeling Lionel Messi as the ‘Father of Cristiano Ronaldo’? Share your views in the comments!