Goal looks at the statistics of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in major international competitions …
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s journey to Euro 2020 ended after losing 1-0 to Belgium in the round of 16. The Portuguese talisman has scored five times in four Euro appearances, setting multiple records. With his first goal in the tournament against Hungary, he surpassed Michel Platini’s nine goals to become the tournament’s all-time top scorer, totaling 14 goals to his name.
Ronaldo also became the all-time top scorer in international football, tying Iranian legend Ali Daei’s 109-goal tally.
But it’s not just the Portuguese star who sets records.
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His closest rival Lionel Messi has also made headlines for his exploits with Argentina in the 2021 Copa America.
Messi has scored four Copa America goals and brought his total of international goals to 76, becoming the ninth all-time top scorer. Above all, he played a huge role in securing Argentina their first major title after a 28-year gap.
As the two great players continue to break new records towards the end of their careers, we take a look at how many goals the two superstars have scored in major international competitions and how many of those goals came from free kicks and penalties.
It should be noted that even though Ronaldo’s Euro trip is over, Messi’s Argentina won the Copa America by beating Brazil 1-0.
