Lionel Messi Surpassing Ronaldo on Total Goals in Top Five European Leagues

In last night's Ligue 1 match, Lionel Messi scored in the 36th minute of the first half to give PSG a 3-1 away win over Montpellier, ending the team's two-game winless streak in the league and consolidating their lead at the top of the table.

Messi's goal was his 697th in the top five leagues, surpassing the previous record held by Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has played 84 fewer games than his rivals to reach this record.


Unless the 37-year-old Portuguese star returns to play in Europe's top five leagues in the future, his record will end at 696. Previously Ronaldo scored 145 goals at Manchester United, 450 at Real Madrid and 101 at Juventus in Serie A.

The two world megestars have had very different experiences in recent times. Ronaldo's relationship with Manchester United broke down after the World Cup and he went to Saudi Arabia Professional League to join Al Nassr. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, led Argentina to the final of the Qatar World Cup and defeated France, helping his country win the World Cup again after 1986.