Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who Has Gone Longest Without a Trophy?

The eternal debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has taken an unexpected turn in 2025, as both football legends find themselves navigating unprecedented trophy droughts in the twilight of their illustrious careers. While these two icons have collectively amassed over 80 major trophies between them, their recent struggles to add silverware have sparked fascinating discussions about which superstar has endured the longer wait for glory.

This compelling comparison reveals not just the statistical reality of their current situations, but also the broader narrative of how even the greatest players in football history can face periods of collective disappointment despite maintaining individual excellence.

Current Trophy Drought Status: The Numbers Don’t Lie

As of November 2025, the trophy drought comparison between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi presents a clear winner—or rather, loser—in this unwanted contest. Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the longer drought, having last won an official major trophy on May 19, 2021, when Juventus defeated Atalanta 2-1 in the Coppa Italia final.

Trophy Drought Comparison Overview

This stark comparison reveals that Cristiano Ronaldo has been without major silverware for over three and a half years, while Lionel Messi’s drought extends back just over one year. However, the context behind these numbers tells a more nuanced story about both players’ recent experiences.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian Struggles

Since joining Al Nassr in January 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has experienced an unprecedented period of collective disappointment despite maintaining remarkable individual form. The Portuguese superstar has scored 106 goals in 120 matches for his Saudi club, becoming the first player in history to score 100+ goals for four different clubs, yet major trophies have remained elusive.

Ronaldo’s only silverware with Al Nassr came in the form of the Arab Club Champions Cup in August 2023, where he scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Al Hilal. However, this tournament is not recognized by FIFA as an official competition, leaving it outside the realm of major trophy discussions.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Near-Misses at Al Nassr

The pattern of near-misses has become a defining characteristic of Cristiano Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia. His individual brilliance—including becoming the tournament’s top scorer in several competitions—has consistently fallen short of translating into collective success.

Lionel Messi’s Mixed Fortunes in MLS

Lionel Messi’s situation presents a different narrative entirely. Since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, the Argentine has experienced both triumph and disappointment, winning two major trophies while also enduring significant setbacks.

Messi’s trophy haul with Inter Miami includes the 2023 Leagues Cup—his first trophy with the club, won just months after his arrival—and the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, which came with a record-breaking regular season performance.

Lionel Messi’s Trophy Record with Inter Miami

However, Messi’s 2025 season has been marked by disappointment. Inter Miami failed to win any major trophies in 2025, falling short in multiple competitions despite maintaining competitive form throughout the year.

Messi’s 2025 Trophy Disappointments

The Context Behind the Droughts

While the raw numbers favor Lionel Messi having the shorter drought, the context reveals important distinctions in their respective situations. Cristiano Ronaldo’s drought extends back to his final season with Juventus, meaning he has been without major silverware across three different clubs: the end of his Juventus tenure, his return to Manchester United, and his entire Al Nassr career.

Lionel Messi, conversely, has won trophies as recently as October 2024, and his current drought only extends back one year. Moreover, Messi has achieved significant individual recognition during this period, winning back-to-back MLS MVP awards and the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals.

The geographic and competitive contexts also matter significantly. Cristiano Ronaldo is competing in the Saudi Pro League, a rapidly developing but less established league compared to MLS. Messi operates in a more structured, competitive environment with Inter Miami, facing teams with deeper tactical knowledge and better overall infrastructure.

Individual Excellence Amid Collective Struggles

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have maintained extraordinary individual standards despite their trophy droughts, highlighting how even the greatest players can face periods where personal brilliance doesn’t translate to team success.

Individual Achievements During Trophy Droughts

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 150+ goals during his drought period include his remarkable achievement of becoming the first player to score 100 goals for four different professional clubs. His consistency in front of goal has never wavered, even as team trophies have proven elusive.

Lionel Messi’s individual excellence has been equally remarkable. His back-to-back MLS MVP awards represent historic achievement, as he became the first player to win consecutive MVP honors in the league’s 30-year history. His 2025 Golden Boot triumph, achieved with 29 goals in just 28 matches, demonstrates his continued ability to dominate statistically.

The Broader Implications of These Droughts

The trophy droughts experienced by both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reflect broader themes about the challenges facing aging superstars in modern football. Both players moved to leagues outside Europe’s traditional powerhouses, seeking new challenges while potentially accepting that team success might become more difficult to achieve.

For Cristiano Ronaldo, the move to Saudi Arabia represented both a financial opportunity and a chance to help develop football in a new region. However, the competitive realities of his new environment have proven more challenging than perhaps anticipated, with Al Nassr’s infrastructure and squad depth occasionally falling short of his individual excellence.

Lionel Messi’s MLS journey reflects different dynamics. While he has achieved team success with Inter Miami, the salary cap restrictions and competitive balance of MLS create unique challenges. Unlike his Barcelona days, where he could rely on world-class teammates in every position, Messi now carries greater individual responsibility for his team’s success.

Age and Adaptation: Different Stages of Career Evolution

The timing of these droughts also reflects where both players are in their career trajectories. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 40, is in the final phase of his career, while Lionel Messi, at 38, may have slightly more time to add to his trophy collection before retirement.

Both players have had to adapt their games significantly. Cristiano Ronaldo has evolved from a explosive winger to a central striker, maximizing his goal-scoring efficiency even as his overall athletic capabilities have naturally declined. His positioning and finishing remain world-class, but he requires more support from teammates to create chances.

Lionel Messi has maintained more of his playmaking responsibilities while still serving as Inter Miami’s primary goal threat. His vision and passing remain unparalleled, but he too has had to adjust to teammates who may not always match his tactical understanding or technical ability.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Silverware

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have opportunities to end their respective droughts in the coming months, though their prospects differ significantly.

Upcoming Trophy Opportunities

Cristiano Ronaldo’s best immediate opportunity lies in Al Nassr’s continued pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title, though they currently sit third in the table. The club’s consistent investment in players and infrastructure suggests they will remain competitive, but breaking through for that elusive first major Saudi trophy remains challenging.

Lionel Messi enters the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs as one of the favorites, with Inter Miami securing a high seed and home-field advantage through much of the tournament. His experience in big matches and Inter Miami’s overall squad quality make them legitimate contenders to win the league’s ultimate prize.

Historical Perspective: How These Droughts Compare

When viewed in the context of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s careers, these droughts represent their longest periods without major silverware since their early professional years. For players accustomed to winning multiple trophies per season, extended periods without team success represent significant psychological and competitive challenges.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous longest drought was approximately 18 months early in his Real Madrid career, making his current streak more than twice as long as any previous period. This unprecedented situation reflects both the competitive challenges of his new environment and the natural evolution of his career phase.

Lionel Messi’s current drought, while shorter, still represents his longest period without a major trophy since his early Barcelona years. The fact that he won the Supporters’ Shield just over a year ago provides some context, but his failure to win any silverware in 2025 has been a notable departure from his historical norm.

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