Lionel Messi overtakes Cristiano Ronaldo for most free-kicks scored of any active player after goal for Argentina
LIONEL MESSI passed Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most free-kicks scored – in another landmark week for BOTH legends.
Messi’s Copa America cracker for Argentina against Chile took him to 57, the highest by any active player and one more than Ronaldo.
But Juventus frontman responded with a HAT-TRICK of records himself in Portugal’s late 3-0 blitz of Hungary.
Ronaldo’s two goals in five minutes made him the highest ever Euros scorer on 11, two more than France maestro Michel Platini.
And at 36 years and 130 days, he also became the oldest scorer in the tournament’s history to net two or more in one game.
That surpasses Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko, who was 35 years and 256 days old at the time of his double delight against Sweden in 2012.
And no player Portuguese older than Ronaldo has ever netted twice in a major competition.
Far more significantly, he how has 106 international goals, just three short of the record held by Iran’s Ali Daei.
But let’s get back to the two-decade duel between Ronaldo and Messi, 33, whose six Ballon d’Or awards head CR7’s haul by one.
Their free-kick tallies certainly reflect the closeness of their rivalry.
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Messi has now sent seven straight into the net for Argentina on top of 50 for Barca.
In contrast, Ronaldo has netted 32 free-kicks for Real Madrid, 13 for Manchester United, 10 for Portugal and just one for Juventus.
But as the younger player, Messi must be tipped to leapfrog back over Ronaldo before their eventual retirements.
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