Over the years, there has been a huge debate on who is better. Is it or ? Well, now, with both players in the twilight of their careers, the legends are engaged in a race to enter uncharted territory.
Both will want to be the first to enter this uncharted territory. Eventually maybe both will but getting their first is something special.
Uncharted Territory Loading?
What is the milestone? The unbreachable barrier of 1000 goals. But not for long, it seems as Messi and Ronaldo are closing in on the milestone. Whoever makes it first shall have reached a level that no footballer on this planet has made it to. It could even settle the debate on who is greater. Could, but most probably won’t.
© X/UEFA
How Much More for Cristiano Ronaldo?
Ronaldo is 41 and has 976 goals in his name. He has scored 830 of them at club level while 146 have come while playing for Portugal. He needs 24 to reach the 1000-goal mark and could do it in a year or so. But then he has said he will retire in a year, so the race against time also comes into play.
How Close in Lionel Messi?
Messi is 39 and his goal tally is 922. He’s scored 125 for Argentina while club football has seen the legend find the back of the net on 797 occasions. Messi has not confirmed when and if he is retiring from the game, so expect him to keep going until the milestone comes. Difficult, but not impossible.
© X/UEFA
Football Blessed to Witness Greatness
While the debate has been on for nearly two decades now, fans are lucky to have seen them play at the same time and share the field on occasions as well. They did it at club level but sadly the did not get to witness a clash. Nonetheless, football has been fortunate to witness these two legends in the same era.
Two Legends of the Game
When these two greats hang up the boots, it shall be the end of an era. Football will be poorer for it, and fans shall remember the good old days when Messi and Ronaldo lit up the field and filled up the stands. But for now, both are playing, and a huge milestone lies in front of them. Who will get their first? Will both ultimately make it? Shall one do so and the other not? Or will both falter? All these questions shall be answered in due time.