Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, today equalled the record of his closest rival in world football.
Messi scored Argentina’s only goal from the penalty spot against Saudi Arabia to equal C. Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup records.
The 35-year-old converted an early penalty in Argentina’s World Cup Group C opener against Saudi Arabia after Saud Abdulhamid had fouled midfielder, Leandro Paredes, in the box.
Messi’s goal against Saudi Arabia means the Paris Saint-Germain forward now scored at four different World Cup tournaments, becoming only the fifth footballer ever to do so – after Pele, Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo.
Both players have scored seven World Cup goals at the Wo
His goal against Saudi Arabia was Messi’s 92nd goal for Argentina in all competitions.
His eternal-rival Ronaldo can become the outright record-holder if he scores at Qatar 2022.
The dimunitive forward has now scored against 34 different national teams, including the likes of Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Estonia and Venezuela.