4 Unique Messi Records Which May Elude Ronaldo

Modified Dec 30, 2019 12:30 GMT

# 2: Most goals in a club football season

Lionel Messi scored an incredible 73 goals in all competitions in the 2011-12 season, the same season where he became the first player from a Top 5 league to score 50 league goals in a season.

Ronaldo's best haul of goals in a season is 61 which he scored for Real Madrid in 2014-15. The Portuguese player has not tallied 50 or more goals a season since scoring 51 for the Spanish capital club in 2015-16.

The 34-year-old's debut season in Italy in 2018-19 produced a total of 28 goals in all competitions for Juventus - his worst return in a decade. Thus, it is safe to surmise that Messi's incredible 73-goal season seems safe from Ronaldo's grasp, for now.

# 3: Most goals in a calendar year (91)

In 2012, Lionel Messi broke a near 4-decade old record of Gerd Muller for most goals in a calendar year by scoring an incredible tally of 91 goals.

Ronaldo scored 60 or more goals in 4 consecutive calendar years from 2011 to 2015 but hasn't come close to matching Messi's tally. With the Portugal captain's goal returns diminishing since moving to Juventus in 2019, this record of Messi looks likely to be beyond the reach of Ronaldo.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 18 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Joseph Solomon