The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? An eternal debate. But what is undisputed is the fact that both these football icons have impacted the sport unlike anyone else in their era. Ronaldo turned 39 on Monday, 5 February, 2024, still going strong and retirement does not seems to be in his plans anytime soon.
Ronaldo was the leading goal scorer in 2023 surpassing Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe with combined 54 goals from the Portugal national team and club Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo later said that he was very happy to achieve the milestone and also added that he will “try to do it again in 2024”.
On 39th birthday of the living legend, let us look at the five records that he has set.
Maximum number of goals in international men’s football
Ronaldo has played 205 international matches scoring 128 goals, the most by any men’s footballer ever. Ali Daei from Iran is second on the list with 108 goals in 148 matches. Lionel Messi is not too far behind, holding third place with 106 goals from 180 games.
10 international hat-tricks
Ronaldo has scored three or more goals in 10 international games, and he the only one in men’s football to have reached the two-digit mark there. Messi from Argentina is right at his tail with 9 hat-tricks for his country. Whereas Cristiano Ronaldo leads when it comes to overall figures, with 63 hat-tricks (include international and club), and Messi’s figures are 57.
First to score 800 career goals
Ronaldo is the first-ever player to net 800 career goals (club and country combined), he achieved this feat in November 2022 during English Premier League in the game against Arsenal.
First footballer to score in five FIFA world cups
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male footballer to score in five different FIFA World Cup Editions when he scored in the 65th minute against Ghana in Qatar 2022. His first World Cup goal came in 2006 from a penalty against Iran.
Maximum champions league goals
Ronaldo holds the first spot on the podium with 141 goals in Champions League. Messi is number two with 129 goals in the European competition.
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