The rivalry between two of football’s biggest stars is showing no signs of easing.
Just days after Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 122nd goal for Portugal, Lionel Messi has shown that he’s not about to let his nemesis get too far ahead in the scoring charts.
Messi was on target with three goals in Argentina’s 7-0 friendly win over Curacao. It brings his tally for the national team to 102.
He is now the first ever World Cup winner to score more than a hundred goals for his country, and only the third man in history to cross the century mark after Ronaldo and Iran’s Ali Daei.
Achievable challenge
While its true that Ronaldo still has a comfortable 20-goal advantage over the Argentine, this is a margin that Messi can very realistically close.
The competition will be tight, though.
While Ronaldo and Portugal have Euro 2024 qualifiers against Bosnia and Iceland in June, Argentina do not have any upcoming fixtures confirmed as at the time of writing.
This means that by the time Messi next takes to the field for his national team, Ronaldo could be even further ahead in the scoring charts.
But if La Albiceleste can schedule in a couple of friendlies by then, its game on for sure. Bear in mind that almost half of Messi’s goals have come from friendlies.
Still going strong
Whether Messi eventually catches up with Ronaldo or not, there is absolutely no doubt that these two are arguably the greatest players in the modern game.
And they continue to defy their age – Ronaldo is 38 while Messi is 35.
Most other players at this stage of their careers are already thinking of retirement, if they haven’t don’t so already.
But Ronaldo and Messi still continue to play active roles for their respective national sides and are showing no indication of slowing down anytime soon.
Football fans will definitely be all the better for it.
