Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi: Who has had the longest membership trophy drought in his profession?

For practically 20 years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have stood as the dual pillars of soccer greatness. Their rivalry transcended leagues and generations, shaping an period the place success was measured not simply in objectives however in silverware. But, as each legends proceed their journeys removed from Europe’s acquainted lights, a curious query emerges: which of the 2 has endured the longest drought with out a membership trophy?  It’s a query that surprises even their most devoted followers — one which hides a file few would affiliate with Ronaldo, the person as soon as outlined by infinite triumphs.

When Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, it felt like the start of a brand new golden chapter. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived because the face of Saudi Arabia’s soccer revolution, bringing a résumé that spanned 5 Champions League titles, seven league crowns, and a legacy of dominance from Manchester to Madrid and Turin.

However practically three years on, the story has taken an sudden flip. Ronaldo’s time within the Center East, although wealthy in objectives and international consideration, has been outlined by one thing overseas to him — defeat.

On October 28, 2025, Al-Nassr fell 2-1 to Al-Ittihad within the King’s Cup Spherical of 16, extending what has now grow to be the longest membership trophy drought of Ronaldo’s profession. Regardless of creating probabilities and aiding Angelo Gabriel’s equalizer, the night time resulted in heartbreak as soon as extra.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.

A complete of 1,623 days have handed since Ronaldo final gained a membership title. That final triumph got here on Could 19, 2021, with Juventus defeating Atalanta 2-1 within the Coppa Italia remaining — a distant reminiscence for certainly one of soccer’s most embellished gamers.

File few would count on

Since leaving Italy, Ronaldo has competed in 13 official competitions with Juventus, Manchester United, and Al-Nassr — and has misplaced each single one. His closest brush with success got here in 2024, when Al-Nassr misplaced the King’s Cup remaining on penalties to Al-Hilal, earlier than falling once more in Tremendous Cup heartbreaks in consecutive years.

The one trophy he has held aloft since 2021 is the Arab Membership Champions Cup in 2023, a regional competitors not acknowledged by FIFA. It’s a startling distinction for a participant whose profession was constructed on inevitability. At Actual Madrid, trophies arrived like clockwork; in Saudi Arabia, they appear to slide by way of his fingers irrespective of how brightly he shines.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Actual Madrid poses with the UEFA Champions League trophy

And so, to reply the query, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the file for the longest membership trophy drought of his profession, stretching over 4 years since that Coppa Italia win. His rival? Lionel Messi has by no means endured something shut.

Messi: The everlasting collector

Whereas Ronaldo wrestles with close to misses in Riyadh, Lionel Messi has continued to raise trophies nearly wherever he goes. Throughout his 17 years with Barcelona’s first crew, Messi’s consistency bordered on the unattainable — 35 membership trophies, together with 10 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Champions Leagues.

Even his occasional dry spells had been fleeting. In keeping with ESPN, “2013/14 and 2019/20 had been the one trophyless seasons of Messi’s membership profession.” Every lasted lower than a 12 months, and each had been swiftly adopted by rebounds — a treble in 2014/15, and home honors once more in 2020/21.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy

After transferring to Paris Saint-Germain, Messi added two Ligue 1 titles and a French Tremendous Cup, conserving the streak alive. Then, at Inter Miami, he wrote yet one more chapter in gold: the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Protect, turning a fledgling MLS facet right into a continental contender.

The numbers reveal the distinction:

Whereas Messi’s droughts have by no means exceeded a single season, Ronaldo’s present run — his longest ever — now spans practically half a decade.