Cristiano Ronaldo’s rivalry with Lionel Messi had always been predicted. Despite not playing in the same league until 2009, the pair had clashed in the Champions League a few times, with Messi coming on top in the 08/09 UEFA Champions League final as part of Guardiola’s Barca team.
CR7 left United in the summer of 2009 for Real Madrid, but only after winning the first of the pair’s Ballon d’Or run for almost ten years. Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 after leading United to two major titles and scoring 42 goals.
The duo has been the subject of heated debates over the past decade, and the debate is still very much alive, even though none of them play in Europe anymore. But who is the real GOAT? Let’s find out!
Lionel Messi to outscore Cristiano Ronaldo in Europe’s top five leagues
It has always been a number game between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. If it’s not a debate about who has scored the most free-kick goals, it’s about who has won the most Ballon d’Ors. And with Ronaldo recently stating he may not return to play European football in his career, Messi may have an edge over his rival in the GOAT debate.
Lionel Messi scored 496 goals in Europe’s top five leagues, having played in Barcelona and PSG before moving to the MLS with Inter Miami this summer. This is one more than Cristiano Ronaldo’s 495 in a glittering adventure that took him across Europe – Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United again.
Lionel Messi will finish with one more goal than Cristiano Ronaldo in Europe's top five leagues if they never play in them again 👀 pic.twitter.com/C6HHyv73Ay
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 17, 2023
With both players playing their trades in different regions now, it is hard to picture them playing in Europe again. Ronaldo has taken a fresh jibe at Lionel Messi’s new home after claiming the Saudi Pro League is way better than the MLS.
🚨Cristiano Ronaldo: "Saudi league is better than MLS".
"I'm 100% sure I won't return to any European club. I opened the way to Saudi league… and now all the players are coming here". 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/nvgESZnjeK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2023
Soccer Community Responds to Lionel Messi Scoring More Goals Than Cristiano Ronaldo
There will always be divided opinions as long as the Messi-Ronaldo debate is concerned. The debate has been a huge part of football for over a decade, with both players taking center stage together for several years. Fans have now responded to the claim that Messi has one more goal than Cristiano Ronaldo in Europe, with many taking to Twitter to air their thoughts.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is my favorite, but both of them are GOATS,” a Twitter user said. In a bid to defend Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League record, another user said, “But Ronaldo has more Champions Leagues.”
Will Ronaldo and Messi ever face off again? Who is the GOAT in your opinion? Let us know in the comments section.
