Cristiano Ronaldo’s 15th Career Final Loss: How It Compares to Lionel Messi
- Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo suffered his 15th career final defeat after Al-Nassr lost to Gamba Osaka
- Ronaldo has now lost all four finals played with Al-Nassr and remains without a major trophy in Saudi Arabia
- Lionel Messi has lost 13 finals in his career, while also winning more trophies overall than his rival, Ronaldo
Al-Nassr had the opportunity to move closer to both the Saudi Pro League title and the AFC Champions League Two crown on May 16.
However, celebrations were put on hold after results went against them in both competitions.
In the Saudi Arabian top flight, Al Hilal’s victory over Neom SC delayed any title celebrations until at least Tuesday (May 19).
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, in continental action, Gamba Osaka defeated Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Two final.
As a result, Cristiano Ronaldo remains ahead of Lionel Messi when it comes to career final defeats.
The Portuguese star has now suffered 15 losses in finals across his professional career, at both club and international levels, between 2002 and 2026.
Messi, meanwhile, sits slightly behind with 13 losses in finals since 2004.
Cristiano Ronaldo's finals heartbreak journey
According to GOAL, Ronaldo experienced his first final defeat while playing for Sporting CP after losing to FC Porto in the Portuguese Cup in 2003.
Just a year later came his first major international disappointment as Portugal lost the UEFA Euro 2004 final against Greece on home soil.
During his spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo lost three finals: two of those came in the FA Cup against Arsenal and Chelsea in 2005 and 2007.
However, perhaps the most painful defeat was the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, when the Red Devils lost to Messi’s FC Barcelona.
Ronaldo's final defeats at Real Madrid, Juventus
According to Marca, Ronaldo enjoyed a hugely successful period at Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018, but even that era also included difficult moments.
He lost four finals during that period across the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, two against Barcelona and two against Atlético Madrid.
Following his departure from Madrid in 2018, Ronaldo joined Juventus in Italy.
He won five trophies but also lost two finals - the 2019 Italian Super Cup against Lazio and the 2020 Coppa Italia final against Napoli.
Source: Getty Images
Ronaldo’s trophy drought continues at Al-Nassr
The latest defeat against Gamba Osaka extended a difficult run for Ronaldo.
Since joining Al-Nassr at the start of 2023, he has yet to win an official trophy with the club, marking the longest trophy drought of his club career.
Across approximately three and a half years of playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has now lost all four finals he has competed in.
Saturday’s AFC Champions League Two defeat followed two Saudi Super Cup losses against Al Hilal and Al Ahli, as well as a King’s Cup final defeat against Al Hilal.
Ronaldo's final heartbreaks and Messi's stats
The comparison in silverware between Messi and Ronaldo still heavily favours the Argentine.
Messi owns 48 career trophies compared to Ronaldo’s 35, and that advantage also appears in finals lost.
While Ronaldo has lost 15 finals, Messi has suffered 13 defeats.
Eight came with Barcelona across competitions, including the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Four came with Argentina: the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa América tournaments, as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.
His most recent final defeat came with Inter Miami in the 2023 US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.
Ronaldo drops retirement hint
YEN.com.gh also reported that Cristiano Ronaldo had dropped another hint that retirement might not be too far away.
The Al Nassr star admitted his playing career was nearing its end, despite saying that his love for football remains unchanged.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
