Lionel Messi Vs Eric Cantona: Lionel Messi and Eric Cantona are both football legends, but they played at different times and have unique styles.
Lionel Messi is a modern soccer wizard. He’s known for his amazing dribbling, passing, and goal-scoring skills. Messi has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award 8 times, and he currently plays for Inter Miami in the USA after spending his entire career with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Eric Cantona, on the other hand, was a charismatic and unpredictable player. He was a strong and creative midfielder who could score impressive goals and motivate his teammates. Cantona is famous for his time at Manchester United, where he helped the team win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He retired from professional football in 1997 at the age of 34.
Lionel Messi Vs Eric Cantona
Now, let’s compare Messi and Cantona in terms of goals, assists, titles, and individual awards to determine who might be considered the best.
Messi vs Cantona All-Time Stats
| Stat | Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|---|
| Total Appearances | 1069 | 484 |
| Total Goals | 827 | 185 |
| Average | 0.77 | 0.38 |
| Total Assists | 400 | 89 |
| Champions League Goals | 129 | 7 |
| International Goals | 103 | 20 |
| Total Hat-tricks | 57 | 3 |
| Ballon d’Or Awards | 8 | – |
| Golden Shoe Awards | 6 | – |
| Champions League Titles | 4 | – |
| International Titles | 5 | 1 |
Messi vs Cantona Stats At Club Level
| Stat | Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 881 | 439 |
| Goals | 719 | 165 |
| Assists | 340 | 69 |
| Penalty Goals | 84 | 21 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 101′ | 226′ |
| Minutes Played | 72.402′ | 36.140′ |
Messi vs Cantona Stats At the National Level
| Stat | Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 178 | 45 |
| Goals | 106 | 20 |
| Assists | 56 | 3 |
| Penalty Goals | 23 | 1 |
| Minutes Per Goal | 141′ | 198′ |
| Minutes Played | 14.554′ | 3.955′ |
Messi vs Cantona Titles
| Competition | Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 10 | – |
| Copa del Rey | 7 | – |
| Supercopa de España | 8 | – |
| UEFA Champions League | 4 | – |
| UEFA Super Cup | 3 | – |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 3 | – |
| Ligue 1 | 2 | – |
| Trophée des Champions | 1 | – |
| FIFA World Youth Championship | 1 | – |
| Summer Olympics | 1 | – |
| FIFA World Cup | 1 | – |
| Copa América | 1 | – |
| CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | 1 | – |
| Coppa delle Alpi | – | 1 |
| Division 1 | – | 2 |
| Coupe de France | – | 1 |
| Football League First Division | – | 1 |
| FA Charity Shield | – | 1 |
| Premier League | – | 4 |
| FA Cup | – | 2 |
| UEFA European Under-21 Championship | – | 1 |
| FA Charity Shield | – | 3 |
| Euro Beach Soccer League | – | 1 |
| FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup | – | 1 |
| TOTAL | 43 | 18 |
Messi vs Cantona Individual Awards
| Awards | Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|---|
| The Best FIFA Men’s Player | 8 | 1 |
| Ballon d’Or | 8 | – |
| European Golden Shoe | 6 | – |
| UEFA Best Player in Europe | 3 | – |
| Top Goalscorer | 23 | – |
| TM-Player of the season | 4 | – |
| Olympic Medalist | 1 | – |
| Footballer of the Year | 10 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup Golden Ball | 2 | – |
| Pichichi Trophy | 8 | – |
| TOTAL | 73 | 2 |
Messi vs Cantona Penalty Goals
| Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|
| 109 | 22 |
| 109 | 22 |
Messi vs Cantona Free Kick Goals
| Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|
| 64 | – |
| 64 | – |
Messi vs Cantona Hat Tricks
| Messi | Cantona |
|---|---|
| 57 | 3 |
| 57 | 3 |
(FAQS)
Who’s The Best At Dribbling? Messi or Cantona
Since Messi and Cantona played in different eras, it’s challenging to make a direct comparison of their skills. However, when looking at the best dribblers of all time, Messi consistently ranks 1st or 2nd on many websites. This highlights Messi’s exceptional ability to navigate through defenders with his dribbling skills, showcasing his prowess in this aspect of the game.
WINNER: Messi
Who’s The Best At Heading? Messi or Cantona
Cantona was taller, standing at 1.85 meters (6’1″), giving him a notable height advantage over Messi, who is 1.70 meters (5’7″). Cantona’s taller stature, along with his strong physique, made him naturally better in aerial duels compared to Messi.
WINNER: Cantona
Who’s The Best At Passing? Messi or Cantona
Messi surpasses Cantona when it comes to creativity and assist numbers. Messi’s vision and skill to break down defenses with a single pass are unmatched. On the other hand, Cantona’s passing wasn’t just efficient; it was infused with flair and imagination, making him a more captivating and entertaining player to watch.
WINNER: Messi
Who Is Better? Messi or Cantona
Both Messi and Cantona are football legends who have made a lasting impact on the game. They bring different styles and strengths to the table, and it’s crucial to appreciate their unique talents rather than trying to declare a definitive winner. When it comes to individual brilliance, goalscoring prowess, and longevity, Messi may come out on top. However, the beauty of football lies in the diversity of talent and the contributions of players across different eras. Each player has left an indelible mark, and their influence should be celebrated without necessarily pitting them against each other.
WINNER: Messi
