It’s the rate at which both players constantly deliver fantastic performances that has made the most remarkable goalscoring habits look normal. While most of their talent has been seen in club uniforms, Ronaldo and Messi have also shone on the international scene. Despite being forced to retire from the final against France in Paris due to injury, Ronaldo played a significant part in leading Portugal to victory at Euro 2016.
Messi eventually broke Argentina’s silver drought when he led La Albiceleste win the Copa America last year. On Sunday night, both players were in action for their respective countries, with Messi equaling an Argentine football record of five goals in a game against Estonia, which had stood for 81 years.
Messi scored five goals in a single game for the second time in his career, but the first for his country. While that was going on in Spain, Ronaldo assisted his Portuguese colleagues in putting Switzerland to the sword by scoring a brace in a 40 Nations League victory.
Ronaldo’s brace improved his overall record for his country to an astounding 117 in his career. Messi has now climbed to fourth place in the all-time list of top international male goal scorers with five goals. He broke the top four by passing Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás.
Despite the fact that Messi is slowly but steadily climbing the leaderboard, he is still 31 goals behind Ronaldo, his long-time Ballon d’Or opponent. 3. The World Cup later this year could be the ideal venue for Messi to cut the gap on Ronaldo and return to the top of the table while chasing the elusive trophy that would solidify his status as the league’s best player and strengthen Argentina’s position.