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“He would’ve scored more goals” - Ex-Manchester United star explains why Cristiano Ronaldo would outscore Lionel Messi in MLS

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Cristiano Ronaldo would score more goals than Lionel Messi in the MLS because the Portuguese icon is still hungry to break records. Ronaldo currently represents Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr while Messi has been shining for MLS club Inter Miami.

Cristiano Ronaldo is often lauded for his lethal goal-scoring abilities. The iconic forward has been unstoppable for Al-Nassr this season, having contributed 16 goals and three assists in 19 outings across competitions.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was instrumental for Inter Miami in 2024. The Argentine superstar contributed 23 goals and 13 assists in 25 appearances across competitions. He also led the Herons to the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield.

In an interview with the Nigerian site Complete Football, former Manchester United striker Louis Saha claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo would have outscored Lionel Messi in the MLS. He said (via GOAL):

"Ronaldo would’ve scored more goals in MLS than Messi has because Messi scored 20 with so many quality players around him. As I’ve said before, I don’t think that Ronaldo needs to have the same quality around him to score as many goals, when he scores 30 goals in a season that isn’t enough for him, wherever he is playing."

Saha added:

“He wouldn’t be happy with 20 goals in the league and we saw last year that he scored 35 goals in the league and 50 in all competitions. Messi is a different player now, he’s not out there to break records and score more goals, he is relaxed on the pitch. Ronaldo is still looking to break records.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is notably the first person to reach 900 career goals and boasts an overall 916 goals in 1255 outings across club and country. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has recorded 850 career goals in 1083 outings for club and country.


Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's number of highest goalscorer awards explored

L to R: Ronaldo and Messi - Source: Getty
L to R: Ronaldo and Messi - Source: Getty

Lionel Messi has been the top scorer in competitions 23 times in his career. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved the feat 20 times in his career.

The Argentine legend has won the European Golden Shoe a record six times (all at Barcelona) with his highest number of goals recorded in 2011-12 with 50 goals. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has won the prestigious award four times, three of which came during his time at Real Madrid and once at Manchester United. The Portuguese icon's highest number was 48 goals in the 2014-15 season.

Between 2004 and 2021, Messi has been the top scorer in LaLiga eight times. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was named the highest scorer three times between 2009 and 2018. However, the Al-Nassr ace has also been the top scorer once each in the Premier League (31 goals), Serie A (29 goals), and the Saudi Pro League (35 goals).

Ronaldo has also been the highest scorer in the UEFA Champions League seven times. Lionel Messi has been the top scorer six times in the competition. Messi is also known for scoring a record 91 goals in a single calendar year in 2012.

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