It’s not easy to dominate any sport for a long period of time. That’s especially true in team sports, where it’s harder for individual players to stand out among many teammates and opponents. Yet for the last two decades, two players have owned the conversation in soccer.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won everything imaginable. They have scored an awe-inspiring amount of goals and delivered hundreds upon hundreds of assists. They don’t need to prove anything anymore, yet they continue to set records and win games by being catalysts for their club and national teams. On Saturday, the two were at it again, and once again one had to try to one-up the other.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores stunner for Al-Nassr, while Leo Messi scores hat-trick for Inter Miami
Early on Saturday, Ronaldo reached 800 club goals scored with a stunning top 90 finish from outside the box. It was vintage Ronaldo and reminded many of an iconic goal against FC Barcelona while he was with Real Madrid.
Of course, Messi couldn’t let Ronaldo have all the fun on Saturday. Later in the night, with Inter Miami taking on Nashville SC on the final MLS regular season matchday, the Argentinian put on a show.
Messi scored not one, not two, but three goals. He also provided an assist in Miami’s 5-2 win over Nashville, bringing him one away from becoming the first player to reach 400 career assists.
With the performance, Messi secured the top scorer position and assured that he will be named MLS MVP for the second year in a row. Whatever Ronaldo does, Messi tried to do better. And vice-versa. If only they could do it until the end of time.
Read the full article here
