Lionel Messi has scored more 2022 World Cup qualifier goals than Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both leading their Argentina and Portugal national teams in their respective 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier groups and have both contributed to the teams progress so far with goals, but Lionel Messi has scored more than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi has scored five goals in nine games in the CONMEBOL qualifying series including a hat-trick against Bolivia. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored just three goals in the European qualifiers, one of which is his recording-breaking 110 and 111 goals.

Argentina are second on the CONMEBOL qualifying group behind long term rivals Brazil but are in a good position to qualify directly with just 9 games left. Portugal are top of their group and will qualify if they won two more games in their UEFA qualifying group.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will both feature in their fifth World Cups if they qualify for the 2022 mundial and will tie former El Tri captain Rafael Márquez's record of five World Cup appearances.