Messi is only behind Ronaldo in international goals

With a goal against Canada in the Copa America 2024 semi-finals at 10.7 (Vietnam time), Lionel Messi surpassed Ali Daei to become the second-highest scorer of all time in men's football at the international level.

The Argentine superstar's 51st-minute strike was his 109th goal for La Albiceleste. In addition to securing his chance to defend the Copa America title, Messi's effort helped him surpass the Iranian football legend by one goal.

However, Messi will have to score 21 more goals for his national team to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's 130 for Portugal.

Messi's close-range finish was his first goal at Copa America 2024 and his 14th in the tournament's history.

Before moving ahead, Messi equaled Daei's record on the all-time scoring list with a brace in a 4-1 win over Guatemala just before the opening day of the Copa America in the United States.

In addition to moving up the scoring charts, Messi also broke another record in this year's tournament with a milestone that appeared in the opening match.

In his 35th appearance in seven Copa Americas, the Inter Miami star broke a record held by Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone since 1953. Messi first appeared in South America's premier tournament in 2007.

While Messi holds the second place behind his Portuguese rival, India's Sunil Chhetri is behind Daei with 93 goals for the "Blue Tigers". Meanwhile, Malaysia's Mokhtar Dahari rounds out the Top 5 with 89 goals.

In both men's and women's soccer, Canada's Christine Sinclair holds the all-time scoring record with 190 goals in 328 international appearances.

After winning the 2021 Copa America, Messi led Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar the following year.

His tally now includes 186 caps, 109 goals and 56 assists.

While aiming for a third trophy with the national team, Messi also has an Olympic gold medal to his name, which he won with the Argentina U23 team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Source: https://laodong.vn/bong-da-quoc-te/messi-chi-con-kem-ronaldo-ve-so-ban-thang-quoc-te-1364218.ldo