How much further? Would we value Pele, Maradona and all the past greats if they had just taken their countries much further but not actually to a final or silverware?
I mean Turkey won a 3rd place at a WC, so did Croatia. Hardly better teams at the time than current Portugal. Did Portugal get that far at a WC?
At least Messi came close. Losing a final against a rock solid Germany who beat Brasil on their turf 7-0.
I don't really understand your point in what does it prove for Ronaldo over Messi?
If statistics are something you don't like, then there is not much else to go by and for better or worse, Messi has simply been a phenomenal player as has Ronaldo, but with Messi edging it since he is so allround and truly a once in a lifetime talented player. Ronaldo I would say is the more complete athlete, but for me not the better footballer per se.
Messi is younger, has better statistics, came closer than Ronaldo to a World Cup and is the scary thing, at 30, he still has got a couple of years ahead of him to completely cement his status as the GOAT.