Messi’s Next Target: Breaking Ronaldo’s Club World Cup Record

For over two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have stood as football’s most iconic figures, constantly pushing each other to new heights in their relentless pursuit of trophies and individual honours.

Their rivalry has defined a generation of football, with both players repeatedly breaking records to outshine the other. Once again, Messi is on the verge of surpassing Ronaldo in yet another notable achievement – this time at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Messi is currently a breathtaking fan at Inter Miami, and he continues to prove his enduring brilliance. The Argentine superstar has already netted two hat-tricks this season, thrilling supporters in Major League Soccer.

However, Messi’s next big moment could come on the global stage, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently confirmed that Inter Miami will participate in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup as the host team.

Inter Miami’s qualification opens the door for Messi to chase yet another personal milestone. The Club World Cup represents a chance for Messi to add to his already impressive resume, but more importantly, it allows him to overtake Cristiano Ronaldo’s record at the prestigious tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the record for the most Club World Cup appearances, having played eight matches across two clubs-six for Real Madrid and two for Manchester United.

Throughout these appearances, Ronaldo has amassed seven goals and three assists, making him one of the competition’s standout performers. However, Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s current club, failed to qualify for this year’s tournament, meaning the Portuguese forward won’t be able to extend his record.

In contrast, Messi has five appearances in the Club World Cup, all from his time at Barcelona, during which he notched five goals and one assist. With Inter Miami competing in this year’s edition, Messi has a golden opportunity to increase his tally of goals and assists, potentially surpassing Ronaldo in both categories.

Messi has lifted the FIFA Club World Cup three times, all with Barcelona (2009, 2011, 2015), marking him as a key figure in Barcelona’s dominance during those years. On the other hand, Ronaldo has the edge in this department, having won the Club World Cup four times. His first title came with Manchester United in 2008, while his subsequent three triumphs were with Real Madrid in 2014, 2016, and 2017.

This year, Messi has the opportunity to draw level with Ronaldo’s four Club World Cup titles – if Inter Miami can manage to win the tournament.