Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have challenged each other neck to neck over the last decade. However, they both endured a difficult time in the 2021/22 campaign.
Let's decide who had a worse season between the two legends.
Goal contributions
Messi has managed just 9 goals for PSG in all competitions, added to his 13 assists, the Argentine has 22 goal contributions after 32 games.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has scored 24 goals for Manchester United this season. His 3 assists make it 25 goal contributions.
For club and country, Messi has 27 goal contributions (14 goals, 13 assists) in 41 games. Ronaldo edges him again with 34 goal contributions (30 goals, 4 assists) in 46 appearances.
Worse season: Messi
Injuries/absentees
Messi has missed a handful of games due to injury at Covid. Altogether, the Barca legend has been out for 58 days, missing 11 games in that period.
Ronaldo has missed just 12 days due to injury, not including games he was rested or given a special leave.
Thus, Ronaldo has played more games (39) than Messi (32) this season for their respective clubs.
Worse season: Messi
Titles
It's been a season full of struggles for both legends but it's Ronaldo who will end the season without winning anything.
Of course, Messi became a French Champion with PSG as they won the league.
Worse season: Ronaldo
Adaptation
Messi has struggled to adapt to life in France. Fans have complained of his teammates ignoring him during games - perhaps that's why Leo didn't score a lot of goals this term.
Messi was even booed by PSG fans at one point this season.
However, Ronaldo has carried Manchester United on his back. He's been their top scorer and most committed player. United fans worship him, and rightly so.
What Ronaldo has enjoyed at Man United is akin to what Messi would probably enjoy if he ever returns to Barca.
Worse season: Messi
Verdict
Ronaldo scored more goals and has his club fans behind him, but he probably had a worse season than Messi for the following reasons.
No titles won
No Champions League football next season - his team will likely finish 6th or 7th
