Cristiano Ronaldo has done it again and created another record that sees him pull away from his traditional rival Lionel Messi. For the first time in his footballing career, Portugal football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the pantheon of footballing greats has been affirmed by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). Ronaldo’s goal scoring for Portugal has gone to highest heights and the super star is now boasting of over 200 international goals, something that is very rare in the world football.
This latest achievement, therefore, is no shock to anyone who has been following Ronaldo throughout his playing career. Symbolizing hard work, fitness and appetite for success, the Portuguese striker has gone from strength to strength breaking records year after year. However, scoring more than two hundred goals in the international club is an honour that will make him struggle besides the remaining achievements. That statistic does not only confirm him as an ever present phenomenon, but it also brings fresh ammunition to the Ronaldo – Messi rivalry.
There is Lionel Messi who despite being one of the most naturally talented footballers can only boast of the following breathtaking records. Nevertheless, by scoring goals for Portugal in the international football, Ronaldo stands a class ahead of others. Despite having fewer appearances for his national team than Iniesta, greatest moments on the pitch, consistency in finals matches, and experience of playing at the highest level should give him slight international edge.
The success of Ronaldo playing with the portuguese national football team is amazing. With UEFA Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League, 2019 under his belt, he also holds the record for scoring in five different World Cups for his national team. Late September 2017 saw the Argentine set a new record accredited by the IFFHS which extended the already considerable gap separating him from Messi; international.
Although both players have had remarkable results in the club system, Messi who seemed to be on song for Barcelona and now for the MLS ironically, Ronaldo’s record at the international level is a strong testament of his consistency, tenacity and competitiveness. Rivalry over the ‘GOAT’ has always been main topic among football fans worldwide and this latest milestone by Ronaldo will contribute significantly to the debate.
Lastly, Football enthusiasts will always drag both football icons to either comparing or contrasting them while Cristiano Ronaldo bagged yet another record acknowledged by IFFHS establishes him at even a loftier level. As he keeps on participating in events on the football field he continues to challenge the records and imprints his name on the list of legends of the current generation football stars.
