Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are arguably the 2 biggest gamers the sport has ever seen. They’ve scored for enjoyable, created possibilities out of skinny air, and virtually at all times discovered a method to ship when their groups wanted them. They’ve shared a rivalry like no different, difficult one another each step of the best way and finally making one another higher.
In immediately’s listing, we are going to take a look at how Ronaldo and Messi dominated the worldwide scene, study what number of objectives they instantly contributed to. Proceed studying to discover the place the duo ranks among the many high 5 gamers with probably the most aim involvements within the twenty first century.
Stats: Transfermarkt
#5 Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 108 Objective involvements
Immediately contributing to 108 objectives throughout his worldwide profession, former Uruguay star Luis Suarez has clinched the fifth spot within the rankings. The Inter Miami man scored 69 instances and claimed 39 assists in 143 matches for Uruguay between February 2007 and September 2024.
Suarez was considered one of Uruguay’s greatest gamers as they gained the Copa America in 2011. The previous Barcelona and Liverpool center-forward scored 4 objectives and supplied two assists in six video games throughout the match. He additionally showcased a superb run of kind within the FIFA World Cup. He performed a complete of 16 World Cup matches, scoring seven instances and offering 5 assists.
#4 Robert Lewandowski (Poland): 118 Objective involvements
Barcelona sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski is by far probably the most prolific participant Poland has ever seen. The gifted center-forward has performed 155 worldwide matches in his profession, scoring an admirable 83 instances and offering 35 assists. Unsurprisingly, Lewandowski is the main scorer in Poland’s historical past.
Nearly all of Lewandowski’s objectives and assists have come within the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He has thus far taken half in 37 qualifiers, scoring 30 instances and offering 11 assists. He additionally has a good observe file within the European Championships, with him netting six instances in 13 matches. In the meantime, within the World Cup, Lewandowski has solely scored twice and supplied an help in seven appearances.
#3 Neymar (Brazil): 138 Objective involvements
In third place, we now have Brazil celebrity Neymar, with the Al-Hilal celebrity contributing to 138 objectives in simply 128 worldwide matches. The previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain winger has scored 79 objectives and supplied 59 assists since making his senior group debut in August 2010.
Neymar, who’s Brazil’s all-time main scorer, has not gained the FIFA World Cup, however that isn’t for lack of making an attempt. He has thus far performed 13 video games within the World Cup, scoring eight instances and offering 4 assists. His solely trophy with the Selecao got here in 2013, as he pitched in with 4 objectives and two assists in 5 video games to assist his nation to the Confederations Cup.
#2 Lionel Messi (Argentina): 172 Objective involvements
Arguably the best soccer participant in historical past, Lionel Messi has been instantly concerned in 172 objectives in 189 video games for Argentina. Since making his debut in August 2005, Messi has discovered the again of the web 112 instances and supplied 60 assists. Messi delivered a masterclass in his final sport for Argentina. He scored thrice and supplied two assists to assist La Albiceleste to a 6-0 win over Bolivia within the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
During the last 19 years, Messi has guided Argentina to 2 Copa America trophies (2021, 2024), one FIFA World Cup (2022), and one CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions (2023). Messi was at his prolific greatest within the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with him pitching in seven objectives and three assists in seven matches to safe the coveted trophy for Argentina. For his exploits, the 37-year-old deservedly gained the Participant of the Event award.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 178 Objective involvements
Goalscorer extraordinaire Cristiano Ronaldo has secured the highest spot, having instantly contributed to 178 objectives in 216 video games since making his worldwide debut for Portugal. Ronaldo, who will flip 40 in February, is the all-time main scorer in worldwide soccer with 133 strikes. He has additionally proven his artistic aspect again and again through the years, chipping in with 45 assists.
Not like his arch-nemesis Lionel Messi, Ronaldo has but to win the FIFA World Cup. Nonetheless, he has claimed the European Championship as soon as (2016) and helped Os Navegadores clinch the UEFA Nations League in 2019. Ronaldo emerged as a pivotal participant in each tournaments, chipping in with three objectives and three assists in seven video games in EURO 2016 and bagging a hat-trick within the 2019 UEFA Nations League semi-final.
