Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Lionel Messi in the rankings
Why it matters
The historic Ballon d'Or ranking represents an important measure of the success and impact of footballers throughout their careers. Cristiano Ronaldo, surpassing Lionel Messi, not only highlights his longevity and consistency, but also his significant contribution to football globally. This confrontation between two of the greatest footballers of all time continues to stimulate debate among fans and industry experts.
Context
Cristiano Ronaldo, now at the top of the historic Ballon d'Or rankings, has accumulated points thanks to his extraordinary career at top-level clubs such as Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United. This study, conducted by Santi Garcia Cremades, offers a new perspective on the rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi, highlighting not only the trophies won, but also the consistency of their performances over the years.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Lionel Messi in the rankings.
- According to a study that analyzes the historical results of the Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently ahead of Lionel Messi, accumulating 460 points against the Argentine's 450.
- Ronaldo vượt Messi ở bảng điểm lịch sử Quả Bóng Vàng.
The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious awards in world football, recognizing the best footballers globally. However, behind the winners' list lies a more complex story, reflecting the stability, ability to maintain high standards and the impact of these players on their clubs and national teams.
The study considered 2,099 player appearances in the voting lists, coming from 213 clubs and 66 countries. Using a point scoring method, first place receives 30 points, second 29, third 28, and so on, with points accumulated to determine ranking. This provided a new perspective on the careers of Ronaldo and Messi.
Ronaldo has accumulated points thanks to his consistency over the years, while Messi stands out for the number of times he has reached the top positions. In fact, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Ors, three more than Ronaldo, and has been part of the top 3 14 times, compared to Ronaldo's 12. It is noted that Messi averages 28,125 points per appearance, higher than Ronaldo's 25,556.
This analysis highlights that both players have different ways of leaving their mark on football history. If Ronaldo leads in total points, Messi excels in titles and consistent performances. However, the competition between the two is not limited to determining who is the best, but offers different ideas depending on the evaluation criteria.
At club level, Real Madrid dominates the historical ranking with 3,189 points, surpassing Barcelona by 472 points. Juventus, Bayern Munich and AC Milan follow, demonstrating a consistent presence of top-class players over the years. Ronaldo, who contributed 261 points to Real Madrid, represents around 8.2% of the club's total. In contrast, Messi accounted for 14.9% of Barcelona's points.
At the national level, Germany leads with 3,854 points, followed by Italy and France. This reflects the strength of German football, which has seen many generations of talented players, while teams like Argentina and Portugal are more dependent on their current champions.
Cremades' research not only analyzes scores, but also offers insight into power in European football over the years. From Real Madrid's dominance between 1956-1959 to Barcelona's dominance in the 2010-2019 decade, the Ballon d'Or ranking reflects changes in the football landscape. The analysis shows that greatness is not only measured by trophies won, but also by the ability to influence the game over time.
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What happens now
With Ronaldo currently taking the lead, the focus will shift to how both players will continue to perform in their respective teams and in international competitions. The next editions of the Ballon d'Or could further influence this ranking, especially with young talents like Kylian Mbappe emerging in the football landscape. Fans and analysts will carefully follow the statistics and performances of Ronaldo and Messi in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with the Ballon d'Or ranking?
Cristiano Ronaldo has overtaken Lionel Messi in the historic Ballon d'Or ranking, accumulating 460 points compared to Messi's 450.
Who confirmed the new Ballon d'Or ranking?
The new ranking was confirmed by a study conducted by statistics expert Santi Garcia Cremades.
Why is this update important now?
This update offers a new perspective on the careers of Ronaldo and Messi, highlighting their different ways of impacting football.
What changes were analyzed in the study?
The study analyzed voting results from 1956 to 2025, excluding 2020, and considered 2,099 player appearances on the voting lists.
How do you accumulate points for the Ballon d'Or?
Points are awarded based on voting position, with first place receiving 30 points, second place 29, and so on.