Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been battling for supremacy on and off the pitch for much of the past decade — and along the way they’ve both racked up an impressive list of individual awards.
Ronaldo, the Real Madrid superstar, added to his incredible tally of personal accolades by retaining his FIFA men’s player of the year crown on Monday night, pipping Messi to the award once again.
And that latest achievement has left many of us wondering: who has the most individual awards?
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi and Neymar to win the FIFA Best men’s Player of the Year award
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Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi and Neymar to win the FIFA Best men’s Player of the Year award
Ronaldo shakes hands with rival Messi while the Madrid man’s son watches on ahead of the awards ceremony in London
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Ronaldo shakes hands with rival Messi while the Madrid man’s son watches on ahead of the awards ceremony in London
The pair have a whopping 287 accolades between them, with Ronaldo coming out on top by contributing 157 pieces of silverware to their lengthy combined list.
Their individual lists are quite extraordinary too, with the Portuguese superstar claiming four Ballon d’Or triumphs while also winning FIFA’s The Best men’s player award two years in a row.
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Barcelona forward Messi pips his arch rival in terms of Ballon d’Or victories, winning five including four in a row from 2009-2012.
Ronaldo, however, is expected to join Messi on five Ballon d’Ors by scooping the 2017 trophy after another stellar season where he helped Real Madrid retain their Champions League crown.
Ronaldo poses with the FIFA world Footballer of the Year 2008 award
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Pele hands him the gong in Zurich
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Ronaldo poses with the 2008 FIFA world Footballer of the Year award (left) after Pele hands him the gong in Zurich (right)
The Portuguese forward proudly displays his FIFA Ballon d’Or trophy in 2013 at a glitzy awards bash in Switzerland
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The Portuguese forward proudly displays his FIFA Ballon d’Or trophy in 2013 at a glitzy awards bash in Switzerland
But away from the World Player of the Year awards, the pair have collected plenty of other recognised trophies — and some unfamiliar ones, too.
Messi comes out on top in the La Liga Best Player category, winning six times. Ronaldo is surprisingly way behind the Argentine, winning the award just once.
In the Spanish league’s other awards categories, Barcelona’s main man has scooped the Best Forward on seven occasions while Ronaldo has experienced that triumph just once.
When it comes to appearances in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the long-term rivals are tied; they have both featured in the star-studded team 11 times.
Wearing an outrageous black and white polka dot suit, Messi holds the trophy after winning the 2012 Ballon d’Or
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Wearing an outrageous black and white polka dot suit, Messi holds the trophy after winning the 2012 Ballon d’Or
Ronaldo, the Real Madrid superstar, poses for a photograph after scooping last year’s Ballon d’Or – his fourth triumph
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Ronaldo, the Real Madrid superstar, poses for a photograph after scooping last year’s Ballon d’Or – his fourth triumph
Ronaldo’s individual list is boosted by his time in the Premier League with Manchester United, where he won three league titles and one Champions League.
During his trophy-laden spell in England, he won four player of the month awards, made four PFA Premier League Team of the Year appearances and collected the Premier League Golden Boot.
Although most of their lists are recognised awards, the superstars are also winners of lesser-known gongs.
They have both featured heavily in the ESM Team of the Year — which is voted for by members of European Sports Media — with Messi’s 10 appearances beating Ronaldo’s eight.
(L-R) FIFA World player of the year winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette Best Young Player Award Messi, and Samuel Eto’o in 2005
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(L-R) FIFA World player of the year winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette Best Young Player Award Messi, and Samuel Eto’o in 2005
Argentine superstar Messi was centre of attention once again in 2011, displaying his 2010 Ballon d’Or trophy to Nou Camp
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Argentine superstar Messi was centre of attention once again in 2011, displaying his 2010 Ballon d’Or trophy to Nou Camp
At the Globe Soccer Awards in 2011, Ronaldo was voted the Best Media Attraction and the Greatest Media Attraction. Five years later, he scooped the GSA’s Goodwill Award.
And the former Manchester United favourite has been recognised for his exploits throughout his career, winning the Best International Athlete ESPY Award in 2014 and 2016.
Messi, however, is a match for the Portuguese forward. He won the same award in 2012 and 2015, although Monday night’s personal victory for Ronaldo moved him 27 clear in the race for individual success.
Ronaldo has scored 44 goals for club and country so far in 2017 and scored twice in the Champions League final in June as Real retained the trophy and became European champions for a record-extending 12th time.
Ronaldo won the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year award during time in England
Ronaldo won the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year award (L) and Barclays Player of the Year award (R) during England spell
Messi has won the European Golden Shoe on four occasions.
Messi has won the European Golden Shoe on four occasions – pictured showing his accolade to Nou Camp crowd in 2013
‘Thank you a lot guys for voting for me,’ Ronaldo said after picking up the award. ‘(I would like) to give a mention to Leo (Messi) and Neymar for being here. Real Madrid supporters, my team-mates, coach, president, all support all through the year so I have to say thank you to them.
‘We are in England for the first time and I win consecutive awards so I’m really glad, it’s a great moment for me. FIFA give the opportunity to fans, I know I have fans all over the world (so) thanks for the support, I appreciate it… I’m so happy, thank you very much.’
The Real Madrid star was presented the award by Diego Maradona and his Brazilian namesake at Monday’s ceremony, which took place at the London Palladium.
It was the second since the FIFA award once again split from the Ballon d’Or prize.