The First 100 Games: Comparing Messi, Ronaldo and Yamal

Lamine Yamal – 17 years, 7 months, 5 days

Lamine Yamal became the youngest of the three to reach 100 professional games, doing so before turning 18. His rapid rise has made him one of the most exciting young players in football history.

Lionel Messi – 20 years, 3 months, 14 days

Messi took a bit longer to reach this milestone, as he had to break into a Barcelona team filled with stars. By this point, he had already showcased his incredible potential and was well on his way to superstardom.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 19 years, 8 months, 20 days

Ronaldo reached 100 games after nearly two full seasons at Manchester United. He was still developing his end product but was already dazzling fans with his dribbling and flair.

Trophies

Winning silverware is often the measure of a player’s success, and some players achieve it earlier than others. By the time they had played 100 matches, Messi had won the most club titles, while Yamal had already won a major international trophy.

Lamine Yamal – 3 trophies

Yamal has already won three major titles, including La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona. His biggest achievement, however, came with Spain when he helped them win Euro 2024.

Lionel Messi – 5 trophies

Messi had already won multiple La Liga titles and a Champions League by the time he reached 100 games. Despite his club success, he was still waiting for his first major trophy with Argentina.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2 trophies

Ronaldo’s early years at Manchester United were spent in a rebuilding phase for the club. He managed to win the FA Cup and reach the Euro 2004 final, where Portugal suffered a shock defeat to Greece.

International Caps

Playing for the national team at a young age is a sign of a generational talent. Messi had the most caps at this point, while Yamal and Ronaldo were close behind.

Lamine Yamal – 17 caps

Yamal has been a key figure for Spain from a very young age, making 17 international appearances before turning 18. His performances at Euro 2024 cemented his status as a future leader of the national team.

Lionel Messi – 19 caps

Messi had slightly more experience at the international level at this stage, having earned 19 caps for Argentina. However, he had yet to win a major trophy with his national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 17 caps

Ronaldo had already made a strong impression on the Portugal national team, earning 17 caps early in his career. He played a crucial role in their run to the Euro 2004 final but was unable to lift the trophy.

Minutes Played

The number of minutes played gives an indication of a player’s importance to their team. Yamal has played the most minutes, highlighting his fast-tracked development.

Lamine Yamal – 6,681 minutes

Despite his young age, Yamal has already played a significant amount of professional football. With Barcelona relying heavily on him, he has accumulated more minutes than both Messi and Ronaldo at this stage.

Lionel Messi – 6,457 minutes

Messi had slightly fewer minutes on the pitch compared to Yamal but was already an important player for Barcelona. His technical ability and goal-scoring instincts were becoming more refined with each game.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 5,563 minutes

Ronaldo played fewer minutes than the other two due to his gradual adaptation at Manchester United. He was often rotated in and out of the starting lineup as he adjusted to the physicality of English football.

Individual Awards

Individual recognition often reflects a player’s impact and consistency on the pitch. Yamal has already picked up several major honors, while Messi and Ronaldo were still establishing themselves at this stage.

Lamine Yamal – 10 awards

Yamal has already collected several individual honors, including the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award in 2024. His record-breaking performances have made him one of the most decorated teenagers in history.

Lionel Messi – 1 award

At this stage, Messi had only won one individual honor, but his incredible potential was undeniable. He would go on to dominate the football world and win multiple Ballon d’Ors.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 0 awards

Ronaldo had yet to win any major individual honors by the time he reached 100 games. However, his talent was clear, and he was beginning to develop into a world-class player.

Assists

Creativity and playmaking are key aspects of a great attacker. Yamal leads in assists at this stage, proving he is just as much a creator as a scorer.

Lamine Yamal – 30 assists

Yamal has already proven to be an elite playmaker, registering 30 assists in his first 100 games. His ability to create chances for teammates is one of his standout qualities.

Lionel Messi – 13 assists

Messi was more focused on scoring goals at this stage of his career, which is reflected in his lower assist numbers. However, his dribbling and playmaking ability were already world-class.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 19 assists

Ronaldo had a respectable number of assists in his early years, but he was still refining his decision-making. His playing style at this stage was more about flair and trickery than end product.

Goals

Scoring goals is the ultimate measure of an attacking player’s effectiveness. Messi was already a prolific finisher, while Yamal and Ronaldo were still developing in front of goal.

Lamine Yamal – 21 goals

Yamal has contributed well in front of goal but is still developing his finishing ability. His numbers are solid, but he is more of a creator than a pure goal scorer at this stage.

Lionel Messi – 40 goals

Messi was already a prolific scorer by this point, with nearly double the number of goals Yamal has. His ability to find the back of the net set him apart early in his career.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 17 goals

Ronaldo had fewer goals at this stage as he was still evolving from a flashy winger into a complete forward. His true goal-scoring explosion came in the years that followed.