Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines by overtaking his long-time rival Lionel Messi in non-penalty goals tally for club and country, further solidifying his status as one of football’s greatest scorers.
Ronaldo Overtakes Messi
The 39-year-old superstar, now playing for Al-Nassr, showcased his enduring prowess by netting his 715th non-penalty goal in a crucial match against Al-Fateh.
Ronaldo’s strike, which came within 17 minutes of play, proved instrumental in securing a vital victory for his team, adding another milestone to his illustrious career.
Despite a brief setback when Salem Al Najdi equalized for the visitors, Luis Castro’s side emerged triumphant thanks to Otavio’s winner in the 72nd minute. The win propelled Al-Nassr within striking distance of league leaders Al-Hilal, now trailing by just four points with a game in hand.
Ronaldo’s latest feat sees him surpass Messi in this unique goals tally, underscoring his unparalleled ability to find the back of the net without Penalty. Meanwhile, Messi, who currently plies his trade at MLS side Inter Miami, finds himself trailing behind the Portuguese maestro in this particular statistic.
This season’s resurgence for Ronaldo continues, with the veteran forward notching his second competitive goal in as many games since the season resumed after a mid-season break.
With 26 goals and 11 assists across 27 appearances in all competitions, Ronaldo remains a dominant force on the field, particularly in the league where he leads with 21 goals and nine assists in 19 matches.
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Goals Telly on the International Stage
Turning to their international careers, both Ronaldo and Messi have left an indelible mark on the world stage. Ronaldo leads the charge with a record-breaking 128 goals in 205 appearances for Portugal, while Messi follows closely behind with 106 goals in 180 games for Argentina.
The race to the top spot in men’s international football’s goal-scoring charts sees Ronaldo in the lead, with Messi trailing by just three goals behind Iran’s Ali Daei, who boasts the best strike rate among the trio.
Beyond their individual accolades, both Ronaldo and Messi have tasted success with their respective national teams, with Ronaldo clinching the European Championship and the UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal, while Messi has triumphed in the Copa America, FIFA World Cup, and Finalissima, cementing their legacies as true titans of Football.