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Lionel Messi Has A Better Record Against FIFA's Top 50 Than Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi Has A Better Record Against FIFA's Top 50 Than Cristiano Ronaldo

The old debate about which of the pair is best is back again and this time it features on who has scored against international opposition.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Lionel Messi may not have had the same success as Cristiano Ronaldo at international level but it seems that the Argentina forward actually gets his goals against better opposition.

The fact that Lionel Messi has never won an international tournament is the biggest stick that his claims to being the best ever are beaten with.

That Cristiano Ronaldo has won both the Euros and Nations League with Portugal is just the added fuel that fanboys of the Juventus forward need for their fire.

Ronaldo's even scored more goals than his rival for their respective countries. The Juve forward has 88 in 158 games whilst the Barca man has 67 goals in 131 games.

However Messi's goals have actually come against higher ranking teams than Ronaldo's:

Messi has had some great moments for Argentina but he's also had some that have left him devastated and unable to play for the national team.

His goals and general play helped them qualify for three major finals in three years between 2014 and 2016, the World Cup and two Copa Americas.

However he wasn't able to help win the finals and they lost the World Cup in extra time and both Copa Americas on penalties.

After the second loss to Chile in 2016 the 31 year old decided to retire from international duty but after a change of heart he came back to help Argentina get to the 2018 World Cup.

Once again this summer the La Liga all time top scorer is hoping to end his duck at the Copa America however Argentina lost their opening game to Colombia on Saturday.

Ronaldo on the other hand has just had his second international success in the last three years.

The 34 year old helped Portugal win the Euros in 2016 against the odds, beating hosts France in the final, and won his second silverware this summer.

He scored a hat-trick in the Nations League semi final against Switzerland, having not played in the Group games, with the hosts going on to beat Netherlands in the final.

Ronaldo with the Nations League trophy. Image: PA Images
Ronaldo with the Nations League trophy. Image: PA Images

Do Messi's international failings stop him being the G.O.A.T?

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Topics: Football News, Barcelona, Nations League, Serie A, Lionel Messi, Portugal, Juventus, Argentina, Copa America, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga