Messi vs Ronaldo: The major trophies they have failed to win

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two biggest names in football history. One is the Goal-scoring machine, and the other is the most complete player in football history. They both conquered football and won many trophies and awards. Eventually, both of them failed to conquer some major trophies. Here are all the major trophies which both these legends have not won in their career so far. 

This article will make you decide between the winner of Messi vs Ronaldo debate. 

Major Trophies conquered & failed to win by Cristiano Ronaldo:

Cristiano Ronaldo won 35 trophies in his footballing career. He conquered his most major trophies with Real Madrid and Manchester United. However, he has won a few of his major trophies with Juventus FC, Sporting CP and his national team Portugal. But, he also failed to conquer some of the major trophies with clubs like Manchester United, Al Nassr FC, Sporting CP and the Portugal National Team.

Major trophies won by Cristiano Ronaldo: (35 trophies)

The biggest highlight of his career is still winning the UEFA Champions League five times, four times with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United at the start of his career. The famous three-peat with Real Madrid from 2016 to 2018 might not be matched again in football history.

He conquered the FIFA Intercontinental Cup (the old name was FIFA Club World Cup) once with Manchester United (2008) and thrice with Real Madrid (2014, 2016 & 2017).  The Manchester United legend won the FA Cup (1x 2004), the English Premier League 3 times (2007, 2008, 2009), 2-time English League Cup (2006, 2009) & the English Super Cup (2008) with Manchester United.

Read Also | 10 players who have won the most trophies in football history

With Real Madrid, he conquered the UEFA Super Cup 3 times (2015, 2017, 2018), the Spanish Super Cup twice (2013, 2018), the La Liga title 2 times (2012, 2017), 2 times Spanish Cup Winner (2011, 2014). 

Read Also | Cristiano Ronaldo's UEFA Euro Stats and Records

Ronaldo won some major trophies with Juventus FC including the Italian Championship 2 times (2019 & 2020), twice Italian Super Cup (2019 & 2021) and the Italian Cup once in 2021. Additionally, he won the Portuguese Super Cup (2003) with Sporting CP.

Moreover, he won the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019. 

Major trophies that Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to win:

Despite being one of the most successful footballers ever, even a player like Ronaldo has not won 9 trophies he has played in his career. At the start of his career with Sporting CP, he failed to win LIGA Portugal and Taça de Portugal. With Manchester United, in his two spells at the club, he only failed to win the Europa League.

Read Also | Cristiano Ronaldo's stats at Al-Nassr: Goals, Glamour But No Trophies

In his recent days with Al Nassr FC, he failed to win the ROSHN League, AFC Champions League, Saudi Super Cup and the Saudi King's Cup. Moreover, his biggest dream of winning the FIFA World Cup with Portugal has not been fulfilled yet as well. 

Major Trophies conquered & failed to win by Lionel Messi:

Lionel Messi, the most successful football player in history, has won 46 trophies in his footballing career. He conquered most of his trophies with FC Barcelona and won some trophies with Paris Saint-Germain and obviously, with Argentina. However, he also failed to conquer some of his major trophies with Inter Miami FC & Paris Saint-Germain. Also, he holds a record for being the most decorated player in the world.

Major trophies won by Lionel Messi: (46)

His major trophies are the FIFA World Cup (2022), Copa America (2021, 2024), U-20 World Cup (1x,2005), Olympic Gold Medal (1x, 2008) & CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions (1x, 2022) with the Argentine National Team.

He won the UEFA Champions League four times (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015), La Liga ten times (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019), FIFA Club World Cup (3x, 2012, 2016, 2017), Spanish Cup seven times (2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021), Spanish Super Cup eight times (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019) and UEFA Super Cup thrice (2010, 2012, 2016)  with his boyhood club FC Barcelona.

However, Messi conquered some major trophies in the French league with the Paris Saint-Germain French Championship (2x, 2022 & 2023) & French Super Cup (1x, 2023) & in Major League Soccer with the Inter Miami Supporter’s Shield (1x, 2024) & Leagues Cup (1x, 2023).

Major trophies that Lionel Messi has failed to win:

Lionel Messi has a tag called Most Decorated Player in Football history, the reason for this tag is that Messi has the most number of trophies. However, he also failed to conquer some major trophies. Most of them are with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS Cup & CONCACAF Champions Cup) & the other one is with Paris Saint-Germain (COUPE De France)

Messi vs Ronaldo: Who is the greatest?

Between Ronaldo and Messi fans, it has been always a debate for decades that who is the greatest of all time. But since 2022 after the greatest World Cup campaign conquered by Lionel Messi, the Argentine great might have taken over Ronaldo. 

The greatness of both of them is just unbelievable, we can’t measure their greatness by the number of trophies. Yes, trophies are the most valuable part of a successful career, but the truth is what they did for their country and for the clubs where they played, how they dominated football for more than a decade is enough to declare that they both are the greatest of the modern era.