Messi Chases Ronaldo Record in International Break
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| Messi during Argentina training |
Lionel Messi looks to close gap on Cristiano Ronaldo's international goal record against Mauritania and Zambia. Can Messi Overtake Ronaldo's International Goal Record?
In doing so, he will look to chip away at the lead held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is sidelined for this window...
Lionel Messi gets a chance to chase another Ronaldo record during the international break. Upcoming games against Mauritania and Zambia give the Argentine star a shot at closing the gap on his rival's record for goals and unique opponents.
The cancellation of the Finalissima left Spain and Argentina looking for matches. Argentina's taking the chance to keep playing lower-ranked teams.
Lionel Scaloni's world champions are set to host Mauritania and Zambia at La Bombonera.
These fixtures against significantly weaker sides are expected to provide Messi with a prime opportunity to swell his international goal tally.
In doing so, he will look to chip away at the lead held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is sidelined for this window through injury and currently sits on 144 goals for the Portuguese national team.
Should the Inter Miami playmaker find the net against both nations, he will also narrow the deficit in another category dominated by the legendary duo: the record for goals scored against the highest number of different countries.
The Portuguese icon has amassed his 144 goals against 48 different opponents, while Messi's record for Argentina stands at 115 goals (29 behind) against 39 opponents (nine behind).
The former Barcelona talisman could, therefore, increase his 'victim' list to 41 countries by the end of this FIFA window.
Among active players with at least 40 international goals and 33 different opponents, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the global standings with 48.
Heading into this break, Messi and Robert Lewandowski were deadlocked on 39.
Meanwhile, Lewandowski's record remains unchanged as he already scored against Albania and Sweden, Poland's next opponents in the World Cup playoff final.
Romelu Lukaku has scored against 37 national teams, but won't be adding to this list with upcoming fixtures against Mexico and the United States, as he's already scored against both. On the other hand, Son Heung-Min has played against 35 opponents and can improve his standing with matches against Austria and Ivory Coast, who haven't conceded to him yet.
Harry Kane finds himself in a similar position, having netted against 34 countries throughout his career.
However, his chances of climbing the rankings have been hampered by Tuchel ruling him out of the opener against Uruguay, leaving the England captain with only Japan as a potential new addition to his list of 'victims'.
Rounding off this top 10 are two players tied on 33 different opponents: Andriy Yarmolenko and Mohamed Salah.
Edin Dzeko has already played in this international break against Wales and took the opportunity to score, bringing his total to 34 different opponents, level with Harry Kane.
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