Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are arguably the 2 biggest gamers the sport has ever seen. They’ve scored for enjoyable, created possibilities out of skinny air, and nearly at all times discovered a method to ship when their groups wanted them. They’ve shared a rivalry like no different, difficult one another each step of the best way and finally making one another higher.
In in the present day’s checklist, we are going to try how Ronaldo and Messi dominated the worldwide scene, study what number of targets they straight contributed to. Proceed studying to discover the place the duo ranks among the many prime 5 gamers with essentially the most purpose involvements within the twenty first century.
Stats: Transfermarkt
#5 Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 108 Purpose involvements
Immediately contributing to 108 targets throughout his worldwide profession, former Uruguay star Luis Suarez has clinched the fifth spot within the rankings. The Inter Miami man scored 69 instances and claimed 39 assists in 143 matches for Uruguay between February 2007 and September 2024.
Suarez was one in every of Uruguay’s greatest gamers as they gained the Copa America in 2011. The previous Barcelona and Liverpool center-forward scored 4 targets and offered two assists in six video games throughout the event. He additionally showcased a wonderful run of type within the FIFA World Cup. He performed a complete of 16 World Cup matches, scoring seven instances and offering 5 assists.
#4 Robert Lewandowski (Poland): 118 Purpose involvements
Barcelona sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski is by far essentially the most prolific participant Poland has ever seen. The gifted center-forward has performed 155 worldwide matches in his profession, scoring an admirable 83 instances and offering 35 assists. Unsurprisingly, Lewandowski is the main scorer in Poland’s historical past.
The vast majority of Lewandowski’s targets and assists have come within the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He has to date taken half in 37 qualifiers, scoring 30 instances and offering 11 assists. He additionally has an honest monitor document within the European Championships, with him netting six instances in 13 matches. In the meantime, within the World Cup, Lewandowski has solely scored twice and offered an help in seven appearances.
#3 Neymar (Brazil): 138 Purpose involvements
In third place, we’ve got Brazil famous person Neymar, with the Al-Hilal famous person contributing to 138 targets in simply 128 worldwide matches. The previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain winger has scored 79 targets and offered 59 assists since making his senior crew debut in August 2010.
Neymar, who’s Brazil’s all-time main scorer, has not gained the FIFA World Cup, however that isn’t for lack of attempting. He has to date performed 13 video games within the World Cup, scoring eight instances and offering 4 assists. His solely trophy with the Selecao got here in 2013, as he pitched in with 4 targets and two assists in 5 video games to assist his nation to the Confederations Cup.
#2 Lionel Messi (Argentina): 172 Purpose involvements
Arguably the best soccer participant in historical past, Lionel Messi has been straight concerned in 172 targets in 189 video games for Argentina. Since making his debut in August 2005, Messi has discovered the again of the online 112 instances and offered 60 assists. Messi delivered a masterclass in his final recreation for Argentina. He scored thrice and offered two assists to assist La Albiceleste to a 6-0 win over Bolivia within the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
During the last 19 years, Messi has guided Argentina to 2 Copa America trophies (2021, 2024), one FIFA World Cup (2022), and one CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions (2023). Messi was at his prolific greatest within the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with him pitching in seven targets and three assists in seven matches to safe the coveted trophy for Argentina. For his exploits, the 37-year-old deservedly gained the Participant of the Event award.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 178 Purpose involvements
Goalscorer extraordinaire Cristiano Ronaldo has secured the highest spot, having straight contributed to 178 targets in 216 video games since making his worldwide debut for Portugal. Ronaldo, who will flip 40 in February, is the all-time main scorer in worldwide soccer with 133 strikes. He has additionally proven his artistic facet again and again over time, chipping in with 45 assists.
In contrast to his arch-nemesis Lionel Messi, Ronaldo has but to win the FIFA World Cup. Nonetheless, he has claimed the European Championship as soon as (2016) and helped Os Navegadores clinch the UEFA Nations League in 2019. Ronaldo emerged as a pivotal participant in each tournaments, chipping in with three targets and three assists in seven video games in EURO 2016 and bagging a hat-trick within the 2019 UEFA Nations League semi-final.
