Advantage Messi

BARCELONA playmaker Lionel Messi moved one step closer than his biggest rival Cristiano Ronaldo to beating the all-time Champions League record of number of goals scored.

Going into this week’s round of matches, Real Madrid’s Ronaldo had a one-goal advantage over Messi, with 70 goals in the competition to Messi’s 69. However, the Portuguese striker failed to score in Real Madrid’s win over Liverpool on Tuesday.

Messi on the other hand, knocked in two goals against Ajax the following night. Messi is now tied as the all-time top goal scorer in the Champions League with Raul on 71.

The Real Madrid legend Raul scored his 71 goals over 144 games, but Messi has reached the same tally in just 90. Ronaldo sits on 70 goals after a total of 107 games.

The greatest rivalry in world football will continue when Barcelona take on Apoel in their next Champions League encounter on November 25. Messi could become the all-time greatest scorer of the competition if he finds the back of the net, but Ronaldo will be out to stamp his authority on the tournament when Real Madrid face Basel the following night.