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Shortly before the 2022 World Cup, Manchester United terminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract, and he left  for Saudi Arabia, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract worth over $200 million a year for Al Nassr.  

On June 7, 2023, a shocking decision was made by Lionel Messi after he announced that he would not be renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. The club would later announce at the end of the season that the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner would join MLS side Inter Miami owned by David Beckham, Jorge Mas, and Jose R. Mas. He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal worth up to $60 million a year AND equity. 

After dominating the Football discourse in Europe for over a decade, the two modern G.O.A.Ts of the game have departed Europe for Saudi Arabia and the United States of America, and STILL dominate the Football discourse.  

How have they done this? By continuing to do what they do best; acting as the biggest ambassadors of the beautiful game and influencing other footballers as they blaze new trails. 

 
**The birth of a legendary rivalry**  

The rivalry between the two superstars lasted from 2009 to 2018 and spanned several El Clasico matches in the Spanish La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Champions League games and the Ballon d’Or podium.   

Messi’s journey to the top began in 2004 at Barcelona, where he amassed an astounding 672 goals across 778 appearances. His tenure at PSG added 32 more to his tally, culminating in an impressive total of 704 goals throughout his extensive European career. 

In contrast, Ronaldo embarked on his path with his boyhood club, Sporting CP in Portugal, debuting in 2002 with five goals. His move to Manchester United saw him achieve 118 goals in 292 matches, mostly as a wide midfielder. Real Madrid was where he was at his best, however, amassing 450 goals in just 438 games, an extraordinary feat. Returning to Manchester United, he contributed 27 more goals before parting ways in January 2023 for Saudi side Al Nassr, resulting in a European goal count of 701. 

Comparatively, Messi boasts 303 assists against Ronaldo’s 203. However, it’s noteworthy that Ronaldo surpasses Messi in UCL assists, registering 41 to Messi’s 40. Messi’s collection of league titles (12 vs. 7), Domestic Cups (7 vs. 6), Super Cups (10 vs. 8), Ballon d’Or awards (7 vs. 5), UEFA accolades (4 vs. 3), Golden Boots (8 vs. 5), and European Golden Shoes (6 vs. 4) outweighs Ronaldo’s. Still, Ronaldo maintains the upper hand in Club World Cups (4 vs. 3) and UEFA Champions League wins (5 vs 4). 

The duo’s combined 12 Ballon d’Or wins present a lofty target for the footballers who are next in line (like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland) to aim for. Notably, Lionel Messi still has a valid chance to win an unprecedented 8th Ballon d’Or this year. 

As the best online sports betting platform in Nigeria, Betking offers you the best odds on the Ballon d’Or 2023 winner as you can bank on the Argentine to win it. 

BET ON LIONEL MESSI TO WIN THE 2023 BALLON D’OR  

**Post – Europe era** 

If you were to ask fans of both superstars, they’d tell you their favorite has had a better start to this new phase of their careers. But then, you could hardly expect them to be unbiased, can you?  

To get an accurate view of how well each player has done, let’s examine them both together. 


**MESSI IN MIAMI:** 

The Argentine legend was denied/turned down a storybook return to Barcelona and instead, moved to the U.S.A to play for Inter Miami. His presence in the MLS is a timely one: The United States will co-host the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, and this move will undoubtedly raise the profile North American Football.  

The move is good business for everyone involved. Messi will earn around $60 million annually on his contract, and there is a reported profit-sharing agreement with Apple TV+, the home of MLS’ streaming service, as well as equity in Inter Miami. 

Since he joined Inter Miami, Messi has been an absolute joy to watch and worth the price of admission alone for anyone lucky enough to watch him play live, but that has not been surprising at all. While he is yet to play an official MLS match, he has been extraordinary in the Leagues Cup, a 47-team midseason tournament involving all MLS and Liga MX sides, leading Inter Miami to their first-ever trophy win against Nashville SC. The win also means that Lionel Messi has now won 44 trophies, becoming the most decorated player of all time.  

Inter Miami will face Cincinnati on Wednesday in the US Open Cup semi-final, for a chance to reach another final. 

Bet on Inter Miami to Beat Cincinnati in the U.S Open Cup 

There is very little Messi can’t do with a Football and in the MLS, he’s so much better than everyone that he’s become a cheat code His mere presence alone has elevated Inter Miami and we expect him to continue this amazing goalscoring form.  

As always, we offer incredible betting value on our website, where you can bet on Messi/Inter Miami . You surely fancy him to continue with his incredible goal-scoring form, and you can bet on him being the MLS Top Goalscorer, and if you fancy more value, a combination bet of that as well as Miami winning the MLS Cup. 

Bet on Lionel Messi to be the MLS top goalscorer 

Bet on Lionel Messi to be top scorer and for Inter Miami to win the MLS Cup 

**RONALDO AT AL-NASSR** 

 Ronaldo has already set the Saudi Pro League ablaze with his incredible performances at Al Nassr FC. With an impressive tally of 20 goals in just 27 matches, his impact on the pitch has been nothing short of extraordinary. 

The Portuguese superstar made a sensational Saudi Pro League debut in a 1-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq, leaving fans in awe of his skill and presence. His first goal for the club came in a league match against Al-Fateh, marking the beginning of what would become a goal-scoring spree. 

A defining moment arrived when Ronaldo secured his first hat-trick for Al Nassr during a commanding 4-0 triumph over Al Wehda. This feat showcased his still-insatiable hunger for goals and his relentless pursuit of excellence. Not one to rest on his laurels, he outdid himself by achieving yet another hat-trick in a resounding 3-0 victory over Damac, further solidifying his impact on the team. 

February 2023 was a standout period for the 38-year-old maestro. Recognizing his exceptional contributions, the league named Ronaldo the Saudi Pro League Player of the Month award. This award was a testament to his prowess on the field, with an astounding tally of eight goals and two assists in February alone. 

Ronaldo’s influence also extended beyond individual accolades as he led Al Nassr to a historic victory in the Arab Club Champions Cup. In a gripping final against Al Hilal, he scored a crucial brace to lead his team to a first-ever Arab Club Champions Cup title.  

How much it meant to the football legend was shown when he posted on X (formerly Twitter); “Extremely proud to help the team win this important trophy for the 1st time! Thank you to everyone in the club that was involved in this great achievement and to my family and friends for always being by my side! Fantastic support from our fans! This also belongs to you!” 

Despite a slow start in the league, with consecutive losses in the first two games, Al Nassr’s potential remains undeniably strong. The team currently occupies the 15th spot in the Saudi Pro League standings. With the likes of Ronaldo and Mane, along with Al-Nassr targets, Otavio and Aymeric Laporte, Al Nassr is undoubtedly a frontrunner in the race for the league title.  

And it all started with one man’s willingness to move to the Saudi League.  

If influence was a man, it would be Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese legend’s outsized social media presence has already made him **THE** influencer icon of our time. Since Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Pro League club, Al-Nassr, his influence has been obvious.  

Here’s a list of high-profile players that have followed the Legendary #7’s footsteps since he moved to Saudi Arabia: 

1. Neymar Jr, 31, to Al Hilal from PSG for £86.3m, and a reported wage of £129.4m per year. 

2. Karim Benzema, 35, to Al Ittihad from Real Madrid for free, and a reported wage of £172m per year  

3. Sadio Mane, 31, to Al Nassr from Bayern Munich for £24m, and a reported wage of £33m per year. 

4. Allan Saint-Maximin, 26, to Al Ahli from Newcastle for £23m 

5. Riyad Mahrez, 32, to Al Ahli from Manchester City for £30m, and a reported wage of £25.6m per year. 

6. Jordan Henderson, 33, to Al Ettifaq from Liverpool for £12m, and a reported wage of £18.2m per year. 

7. Roberto Firmino, 31, to Al Ahli from Liverpool for free, and a reported wage of £17m per year. 

8. N’Golo Kante, 32, to Al Ittihad from Chelsea for free, and a reported wage of £86.2m per year. 

9. Edouard Mendy, 31, to Al Ahli from Chelsea for £16m, and a reported wage of £9.4m per year. 

10. Ruben Neves, 26, to Al Hilal from Wolves for £47m, and a reported wage of £15.6m per year. 

11. Kalidou Koulibaly, 32, to Al Hilal from Chelsea for £17m, and a reported wage of £30m per year. 

12. Marcelo Brozovic, 30, to Al Nassr from Inter Milan for £15m, and a reported wage of £35m per year. 

13. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 28, to Al Hilal from Lazio for £34m, and a reported wage of £17m per year. 

14. Seko Fofana, 28, to Al Nassr from Lens for £21.5m, and a reported wage of £12.9m per year. 

15. Malcom, 26, to Al Hilal from Zenit St Petersburg for £51.5m, and a reported wage of £18.2m per year. 

16. Moussa Dembele, 27, to Al Ettifaq from Lyon for free. 

17. Aleksandar Mitrovic, 28, to Al Hilal from Fulham for £46m. 

18. Otavio, 28, to Al Nassr from Porto for £51.3m.  

19. Fabinho, 29, to Al Ittihad from Liverpool for £40m.  

20. Franck Kessie, 26, to Al Ahli from Barcelona for £10m. 

Bet on CR7 to score the most goals in the SPL this season 

Bet on a combo of Ronaldo to score the most goals and Al-Nasr to win the Saudi Pro League 

**Our verdict**

Both superstars are neck-and-neck in the trophy stakes with one title win each. Messi edges this one due to a better goal conversion rate and shot accuracy than Ronaldo, but it’s at the end of the season when we’ll be able to tell who truly won. 

For many, Messi ended the debate for good when he led Argentina to World Cup victory last year. But what do you think? Messi or Ronaldo; who’s having a better post-European career? 

**There are still a lot of big guns linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League this window, and you can take advantage of that on our betting offers as we have high odds and the best odds on potential player moves via the [Transfer Specials](https://m.betking.com/sports/football/leagues/special/transfer-specials) page.** 

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What does Neymar's move to the SPL to join Cristiano Ronaldo, Mane, Benzema and Mane mean for the rest of Europe? Read on to find out!

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Ronaldo vs Messi: The Two GOATS post-Europe