MLS
Lionel Messi’s arrival in MLS ends the era he shared with Cristiano Ronaldo
The signing of the Argentine to Inter Miami closes what could be considered the most important period for the Beautiful Game in Europe.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Lionel Messi is set to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, as the footballer himself confirmed his intention to take the next step of his career with the North American team. As well as exciting times for MLS and its sponsors, this move also signifies the end of his era in the Old Continent, the period he shared with Cristiano Ronaldo in Europe.
Messi follows Cristiano out the UEFA door
Over the years, both superstars became accustomed to their fierce competition for titles at their respective European clubs and their pursuit of individual accolades, showcasing their exceptional levels of performance at teams like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, all good things must come to an end, as time spares no one.
With Ronaldo’s departure to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in January, we were already aware that the glorious era in which the Portuguese and the Argentine dominated world football was drawing to a close. Messi’s move to Inter Miami in the MLS will mark the definitive conclusion to the remarkable chapters they authored in European football.
How many goals did Messi and Cristiano score in Europe?
The legendary number ‘10′ of Barcelona and the Argentine national team has netted an impressive total of 704 goals across all competitions in the UEFA zone. Notably, 672 of these goals were scored during his tenure with the Camp Nou team, while he managed to find the back of the net 32 times during his stint at Paris Saint-Germain. Throughout the years, Messi has participated in various club tournaments, most notably LaLiga Santander, the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, and the Copa del Rey, among others.
Cristiano Ronaldo, adorned with the historic ‘7′ jersey for various European powerhouses and the Portugal national team, has showcased his scoring prowess on a remarkable 701 occasions. Among his goal-scoring exploits, he scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 1,011 for Juventus, and 5 for Sporting Lisbon. He holds the record for the highest number of goals in the history of the Champions League.
Together with Messi, they have collectively amassed a staggering figure of 1,405 goals across all tournaments.