Cristiano has scored all of these goals according to FIFA’s criteria. He is immediately followed by Lionel Messi. These two are never separated. They have dominated football news for over 15 years and continue to shake up the web.
This is not an official figure. FIFA, which relies on match sheets, only counts 899 to date. A goal deflected by his former Real teammate, Pépé, was awarded to the latter by the match referee, while “Marca”, one of the oldest Spanish sports titles, based in Madrid, decided to award it to Cristiano. Regardless, it is an achievement that makes the Portuguese international the top scorer in the history of football.
The oldest among us will remember that in 1969, the King Pelé celebrated with great fanfare and in the presence of the entire international press his thousandth goal, a goal scored from a penalty. It was just before the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Pelé would go on to score, according to an unofficial count, 285 goals, for a total of 1,285 goals. FIFA only credits him with, so to speak, 767 goals. Most of the goals that were taken away from him were scored in club friendlies. Pelé is said to have played 543 friendlies, many of them exhibition matches, in which he scored a total of 523 goals. Another player reached the round figure of 1,000 goals, the Brazilian Romario, but he was only credited with 755. Club friendlies are not considered official matches. This is not the case for international matches between national teams.
Cristiano has scored all of these goals according to FIFA criteria. He is immediately followed by Lionel Messi. These two are never separated. They have dominated football news for over 15 years and continue to shake up the web. As soon as you browse the internet, regardless of the platform, it is impossible not to come across a debate about “which one is better than the other?” When it comes to goals scored, the debate is apparently over. Cristiano is the top scorer in the Champions League, honored as such by UEFA, with 140 goals, ahead of Messi, whose tally stopped at 129 goals. He is also the top scorer in a single season with 17 goals. But as soon as we get into the details, we realize that over a calendar year, it is Messi who dominates. In 2012, he scored 91 goals, far ahead of Cristiano, who scored 69 goals in 2013. Over a season, Messi is again ahead with 73 goals in the 2011-2012 season. Cristiano is overtaken, his best season being that of 2011-2012 with 61 goals. Fabulous figures. If we refer to football criteria alone, it is certain that Messi plays in a more technical category alongside Maradona, Pelé, Cruyff or Beckenbauer. His ball handling, the quality of his controls, his passes, his vision of the game and the precision of his shots make him an exceptional player. His morphology also contributes to his technical ease. His low center of gravity allows him to better stand on his feet and his agility allows him to escape the tackles of his opponents. Cristiano’s qualities also come from great technical qualities, but above all from his athletic mass, his physical condition, the power of his shots and his mental strength.
The fact remains that these two football monsters continue to make headlines even though they have moved away from top-level football. Without wanting to devalue the American or Saudi championships, far from Europe, football no longer has the same notoriety.
Cristiano, by creating a buzz with each of his appearances, whatever the result, is almost unbearable when his team loses. Messi, more restrained, continues to shine especially in the Argentina team.
The new stars, destined to light up the football sky after this legendary duo, are slow to assert themselves. Mbappé is suffering from a controversial transfer and seems to have doubts on the pitch. He is aiming for the 450 goals scored by Cristiano, at Real Madrid during his career; he will have to work hard. Vinicius, a probable future Ballon d’Or winner, is making his opponents dizzy with improbable dribbles. He does not spare his supporters, who are often disconcerted by his risk-taking. Lamine Yamal shines in every action. All Barça supporters see him as the new Messi. With the right support, he can take Barça to the roof of the world. Haaland is the least gifted of all, but the only one capable of reaching the level of performance of Cristiano and Messi in goals scored. He is an exceptional scorer, a fox in the box, like Gerd Muller could be. Often eliminated from major competitions with his national team, he leaves handicapped. The goals with Norway will be missing for him during the final count. Cristiano, never lacking ambition, is aiming for 1,000 goals. At almost 40 years old, it is complicated, but very motivating for a competitor of his caliber.
