Record breakers - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi close in on World Cup qualifying record

Who'll take top spot? 

International has long been the domain of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Whether it be the Portuguese forward’s success with his nation at Euro 2016 or his Argentine rival’s World Cup victory in 2022, the dynamic duo have dominated the sport for an entire generation. But, despite their remarkable goals, assists and silverware, there’s still one honour in international football that continues to elude both Ronaldo and Messi. Well, at least for now.

With both players currently on international duty for their respective nations, as Portugal and Argentina look to finish top of their groups ahead of next year’s World Cup, it’s worth bearing in mind that neither Ronaldo nor Messi actually hold the record for the most goals scored in World Cup qualifying games. Ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Hungary, Ronaldo currently boasts a record of 38 goals in 48 qualifying games for Portugal. And, following a brace in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela, Messi’s record now stands at 36 goals in 72 qualifying games. But there is one player with more goals than both.

While few outside of his own nation or the United States may know of him, Carlos Ruiz still holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup qualifiers. Prior to retiring in 2017, the centre forward bagged an incredible 39 goals in 47 games for Guatemala over the course of 16 years of duty for his national team. That puts Ruiz one goal ahead of Ronaldo and still three ahead of Messi. But the aforementioned duo aren’t the only World class players gunning for Ruiz’s record.

As we can see in the graph of the top 10 goalscorers in World Cup qualifiers, there are still five players plying their trade for their national teams and on the hunt for more goals. Poland No.9 Robert Lewandowski sits just three goals of Iranian legend Ali Daei in fourth spot, while Luis Suárez or Uruguay, Iran talisman Sardar Azmoun and New Zealand striker Chris Wood all sit level on 29 goals for their respective nations. Edin Džeko, despite pushing 40 years of age, remains a regular for the Bosnian national team and makes it into the top 10 with 28 goals in 40 games.