How Many Goals Does Lionel Messi Need With PSG To Catch Up With Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League?

Published 09/15/2021, 11:58 AM EDT

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest Champions League player of all time. The former Real Madrid winger recently tied up with Iker Casillas’ record of making 177 appearances in the Champions League. In 177 appearances, CR7 has scored a mind-boggling 135 goals making him the highest goalscorer in the tournament’s history.

Lionel Messi is, obviously, also not far behind when it comes to scoring goals in the Champions League. He’s currently the second-highest goalscorer in the tournament. With Ronaldo scoring goals left and right, it will be difficult for Messi to catch up.

Lionel Messi has scored 120 goals in 149 games in the Champions League

Article continues below this ad

Lionel Messi sent shockwaves around the world when he left Barcelona to join PSG. All his Champions League goals have come from his time at Barcelona. In 149 Champions League games, Lionel Messi has found the back of the net 120 times. His goal-scoring average is in fact better than Ronaldo, who is the top scorer.

For the former Barcelona captain to catch level up with Ronaldo, Messi will have to score 15 goals more. This is where Messi playing for a world-class team like PSG could help him. PSG have a world-class squad and are genuine Champions League contenders. At the same time, Ronaldo’s Manchester United, with all due respect, aren’t on the level of PSG. United’s recent loss to Young Boys is a testament to that.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Transfermarkt (@transfermarkt_official)

Article continues below this ad

PSG are highly likely to reache the latter stages of the tournament, meaning more matches for Messi to score. At the same time, Ronaldo‘s Manchester United have had an inconsistent run in Europe over the past few years.

Moreover, Lionel Messi is 34 while Ronaldo will turn 37 soon. While doubting Ronaldo and his fitness has always been a mistake, it is hard to imagine even Ronaldo playing at the top level for too long. This 2-year gap that Messi has combined with the team he plays in should help him catch up with Ronaldo’s Champions League record.

Article continues below this ad

“F*cking Dumb”- Dana White Rips Into Fans Paying to Watch the Triller Boxing Events

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Suresh Menon is a Football and NFL writer at Essentially Sports. He is currently pursuing BMM from St Xaviers College with his specialization in Advertising. Juventus is his favorite football club and he one day plans to go to Italy and watch a Juve match live.

How Many Goals Does Lionel Messi Need With PSG To Catch Up With Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League?

Lionel Messi has scored 120 goals in 149 games in the Champions League

Trending

Who is Kaka’s Ex-Wife Caroline Celico Married to Now After Divorce With the Brazilian Legend?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Dealt Major Blow as Head Coach Luis Castro Undergoes Surgery After Missing Team Training

Who is Kaka’s Wife? Meet Model Carolina Dias, Whom the Brazilian Proposed After Divorcing Caroline Celico

Thierry Henry’s Prediction Comes True As Erling Haaland’s ‘Weakness’ Gets Exposed During Manchester City Vs Real Madrid

Who is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Eldest Son Cristiano Jr’s Biological Mother?