In the realm of football, the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has reached legendary proportions. For years, these two titans have pushed the boundaries of excellence, dazzling fans with their incredible skills and breaking numerous records in the process…CONTINUE READING>>...CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
However, there are five remarkable records held by Cristiano Ronaldo that may prove almost impossible for Lionel Messi to surpass.
1. Number of International Appearances
Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, holds the prestigious record for the most international appearances, with 201 caps for Portugal. In comparison, Lionel Messi is eighth on the list, with 177 appearances for Argentina. While Ronaldo is a bit older and might retire earlier, surpassing his tally seems nearly unattainable for Messi at this stage.
2. Scoring 50+ Goals in Six Consecutive Seasons
Ronaldo is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest goalscorers in football history. During his time with Real Madrid, he scored over 50 goals in all competitions for six consecutive seasons, from 2010-11 to 2015-16.
Messi, at this point in his career, is unlikely to match this extraordinary feat, making it a record Ronaldo is likely to retain for a long time.
3. Most Assists in the UEFA Champions League
While Ronaldo is primarily known for his goal-scoring prowess, his playmaking abilities in the latter stages of his career are often overlooked.
He leads the all-time assist charts in the UEFA Champions League with 42 assists, just ahead of Messi’s 40. However, since both players have left European clubs, it’s unlikely these numbers will change.
4. International Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo has reigned as the leading goalscorer in men’s international football, amassing an impressive 123 goals for Portugal. He overtook Ali Daei’s record of 109 in September 2021.
Meanwhile, Messi is the third highest goalscorer in men’s international football, with 104 goals in 176 appearances for Argentina. Given Ronaldo’s continued dominance as Portugal’s main goal-scoring outlet, it’s improbable that Messi will break this record.
5. Most Champions League Goals
Both Ronaldo and Messi are unlikely to return to UEFA Champions League football in their careers. Ronaldo, currently with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, and Messi playing for Inter Miami in MLS, have left Europe.
Consequently, their respective tallies in the competition are likely to remain unchanged. Ronaldo stands atop the list with 140 goals, followed by Messi with 129.
In conclusion, the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has elevated football to unprecedented levels of excellence.
However, these five remarkable records held by Ronaldo showcase his extraordinary talents and the enormous challenge that Messi would face in attempting to break them.
As the football world continues to witness their brilliance, these records remain a testament to the indomitable spirit of these two footballing legends…CONTINUE READING>>
