Ramos & Tevez among the ‘chosen’ 27 – Every player to have played with Messi and Ronaldo – Transfermarkt

All players & no. of games revealed 

Two footballers have never defined an era quite like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Throughout both of their illustrious careers, they were levels above the rest. Both superstars are now coming to the twilights of their playing days, with 38-year-old Messi playing in the MLS with Inter Miami and 40-year-old Ronaldo earning his (very lucrative) crust in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. The iconic duo won 10 Ballon d’Ors in-a-row between 2008 and 2017 between them, with Messi then winning a further two after Luka Modrić broke the status quo in 2018.

Whilst Messi’s 2022 World Cup triumph officially elevated him above Ronaldo in many people’s eyes, debate continues to rage over which of the two legends was the best. The majority of top players tend to lean towards the majestic Messi. Nevertheless, some still choose the prolific Ronaldo. Playing with either of these footballing gods is something most players will end up telling their grandchildren about. A true honour. However, 27 lucky players managed to play alongside both Messi and Ronaldo during their career. Transfermarkt reveals the ‘chosen’ ones, with many Argentine and Portuguese stars cropping up on the list. But who played the most games with both superstars combined? We rank the 27.

The 27 players to have played with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Leading the way is Spanish defender Gerard Pique. The Barcelona legend played 506 games with Messi, but also lined up alongside Ronaldo 16 times during his early playing days at Manchester United. Adding up to a total of 522 games played with both. Comparing the two icons back in 2024, Pique himself said, “Cristiano is the best among humans, but Leo is an alien; he doesn’t belong on this planet.” Second place on the list is another heroic Spanish defender in Sergio Ramos. He played 340 times with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, before playing 46 games with Messi at PSG in his later days. After spending many years battling against him in El Clásicos, Ramos admitted whilst at PSG: “There was suffering for several years playing against Messi. I am now enjoying him. He is the best player football has ever produced.”

In third place is the first international teammate of either star – it’s Ángel Di María. He played 148 times for his country Argentina alongside Messi, whilst lining up 168 times with Ronaldo for Real Madrid. In fourth is another Argentinean in Gonzalo Higuaín. The former striker shared 63 Argentina caps with Messi, whilst he played 185 club matches with Ronaldo for both Real Madrid and Juventus. In fifth is Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who played 16 matches with Messi in Paris, and 125 games with Ronaldo in Madrid.

In sixth is Portuguese full-back Nélson Semedo – the defender has shared 34 Portugal caps with Ronaldo, whilst he played 105 games with Messi at Barca. Portuguese icon Deco takes seventh having played 81 matches with Messi at Barcelona and 58 games with Ronaldo for Portugal. Former forward Carlos Tevez is eighth after playing 52 times with his compatriot Messi for Argentina, whilst he lined up 84 times with Ronaldo for Man United. Paulo Dybala takes ninth with 20 games with Messi and 98 matches with Ronaldo at Juventus, whilst another Argentine in Gabriel Heinze completes the top 10 – 38 international caps alongside Messi and 78 Man United matches with Ronaldo. The full 27 player list can be scrolled through further up the article.