The years are just a number, and the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristino Ronaldo are proof of that.
For the two top players in this great game, the most important number are those who record every weekend when they score goals for their teams.
All their titles
The latest record set by one of these two legends came in the form of Lionel Messi’s 5 goals against Estonia while playing for the Argentine national team last Sunday.
Goals at the club level
Never one to sit around and simply watch, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t miss out on the opportunity to score twice in Portugal’s victory over Switzerland in the Nations League.
With his brace, the Portuguese now has 117 goals in 188 international matches for his national team, extending his lead over the previous all-time mark held by Iran’s Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals for his national team in 2021.
Goals per competition
Both players finished the campaign with the lowest goals in recent years. For Messi, he scored 11 goals for Paris Saint-Germain, the worst result since the 2005/06 season when he scored eight.
Not surprisingly, Leo has scored 14 more goals for Argentina than PSG this year, for the first time scoring more goals for his national team. As shocking as that may be, Messi has managed to provide 15 assistants to the French giants, including a lack of goalscoring prowess.
As for Cristiano, he has scored 24 goals, the lowest number since he scored 23 goals in 2006/07.
Still in the mix
While age is part of the reason for their low points scoring, moving to new teams has also played a part, as PSG and Manchester United have both failed to meet expectations.
While PSG managed to win another Ligue 1 title, they were knocked out by Real Madrid in the Champions League again. As for Cristiano, United have failed to qualify for next year’s Champions League after finishing sixth in the Premier League and were relegated to Europe by Atletico Madrid.
However, they both have the same goalscoring record at the club level. Messi has 682 goals between Barcelona and PSG, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 699 between Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Scales favor Ronaldo at the national team level, with 19 more goals, although it should be noted that he has scored 40 goals more than a penalty than Messi.
In terms of the results of one game, Ronaldo tends to hold the edge (two to one) in terms of five goals, although Messi equates that with his recent play against Estonia.
The never-ending comparison
In terms of the team’s trophies, Messi leads 40 to 34, with the PSG man adding to his ongoing Ligue 1 title with Argentina’s Finalissima defeating Italy.
The difference when it comes to personal honors is very small, but it still favors Messi (30 to 26).
Both men will no doubt want to add to their wardrobes at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar which may be their last chance to go home with the biggest hardware in their national teams.
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