Cristiano Ronaldo Hits 1200 Career Games: How Far is Lionel Messi Behind in Terms of Stats?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have redefined soccer through their rivalry over the past one-and-a-half decades. The duo has truly transcended the sport and will undoubtedly go down in history as the greatest players of all time. Cristiano recently made history as he became the fifth player in soccer history to play in 1200 games. While the Portuguese talisman has etched his name in history books, his long-time rival is not too far behind him.

Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton currently holds the record for the most appearances by a player. The West Ham legend made 1387 appearances throughout his career, winning multiple titles. The three other names apart from Shilton and Cristiano are all goalkeepers, making the Portuguese star the first non-goalkeeper to reach the milestone.

Ronaldo becomes the first non-goalkeeper to reach 1200 games

The Al Nassr skipper made history on his latest outing for the Saudi Arabian side. Cristiano Ronaldo starred in Al Nassr’s 4-1 win over Al-Riyadh finding one goal and an assist. The player thanked his fellow teammates following the win as he took to his social media account to celebrate his latest milestone..

Cristiano stated, “Thankful to all my teammates who helped me reach my 1,200th match. What a ride, but we’re not done yet!”

The Portuguese star has had an influential career over the years. His move to Al Nassr last season saw him reinvigorate his career. Despite being thirty-eight, the Al Nassr skipper shows no signs of stopping and has emerged as the top scorer in the league with sixteen goals to his name.

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While Cristiano continues to chase records and milestones, his longtime rival Lionel Messi continues to leave his imprint on the game. The Argentine is currently preparing for the upcoming MLS season for Inter Miami and will hope to get his hands on the league title.

How far is Lionel Messi from Cristiano Ronaldo?

While Cristiano has surely had a sensational career over the years, La Pulga is not too far behind his longtime rival. The Argentine has already made 1074 outings in his career, playing for club and country. Messi has made 889 outings in his club career, finding the back of the net on 721 occasions.

La Pulga also has a decorated career for the Albiceleste, as he’s taken to the pitch 180 times for his national side. The Argentine has scored 106 goals in his international career. The player made history last year as he got his hands on the World Cup title for the first time in his career. La Pulga at thirty-six hasn’t skipped a beat and can continue to deliver for both club and country for the next few years.

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Do you think Lionel Messi will surpass the numbers set by Cristiano Ronaldo? Let us know in the comments below.