The question “will Messi and Ronaldo score 30 goals this year” is a perennial one. Since the 2007-08 season, these two players have combined to score more than 30 goals on 16 occasions. With so much at stake, will either of them be able to reach that mark this season? Here are some stats on each player’s chances of scoring 30 goals this season:
Cristiano Ronaldo
The current trend suggests that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel MessI will reach 30 goals this season, but who will score more? This season, Ronaldo and Messi will be expected to share the scoring burden, with Messi likely to score more than his teammate. Cristiano Ronaldo has the better individual goalscoring record, with 406 in 394 games for Real Madrid. Despite this, Messi has also improved as he’s adapted to a central-forward role. Both players are constantly competing for the best player in the world award, as Ronaldo has broken Raul’s record of 33 Champions League goals.
Although neither player is particularly tall, they both have the ability to leap through defenders to score a goal. While Messi lacks height, he is not a poor header. His header against Man Utd in the 2009 Champions League final was a classic example of how much power he packs behind a shot. Ronaldo’s physique, however, is perfect for a striker.
Lionel Messi
If they were to be compared on the total goals scored by two players, there is no way they could be any different. Both have played over one thousand games for their clubs and both have more than six hundred goals in their respective careers. They have each won over thirty titles and have more than eight hundred career goals. The current situation is a case of “one of the best” winning out over the other.
While Cristiano Ronaldo has surpassed Messi’s goal total in a season, Messi is still ahead of Ronaldo on the average goals per season. Cristiano has scored more goals for his country than Messi in one season. His 81 goals in 2014-15 broke the record set by Ali Daei a few years ago. Messi’s average goals per season have dropped in recent years.
Kylian Mbappe
In terms of scoring, Kylian Mbappe is the man to beat at Paris Saint-Germain. The French side have a rugged squad, and added six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi from Barcelona to their ranks. Mbappe has shown an acute awareness of the attacking third and a keen eye for goals since his PSG debut. The two will combine to create a goal-scoring machine.
It’s easy to get enamored with Messi’s world-class form and consistency, but it’s hard to ignore the greatness of Ronaldo and Messi. They’ve won nine Champions Leagues and 12 Ballon d’Ors, and helped lead their teams to notable achievements in numerous seasons. Both Messi and Ronaldo have been admired for decades for their achievements, and Kylian Mbappe has a bright future.
In order for Kylian Mbappe to earn his place in the pantheon of top European players, he must win the Champions League and the World Cup for PSG. If he does, he’ll join Maradona and Pele as the only teenager to have scored in the FIFA World Cup final. But that’s just speculation. Mbappe’s era of greatness is still young, and his dream is to become the greatest player in history.
Gareth Bale
It’s a given that Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will each score thirty goals this season, but can you imagine the kind of goals that Gareth Bale will score? The Welshman began his career at Southampton and soon earned acclaim as a free kick specialist. In 2007, he transferred to Tottenham Hotspur for PS7 million and soon transformed into an attacking midfielder. Under the guidance of Harry Redknapp, he became a mainstay for Spurs. During the 2010-11 season, Bale’s skills and ability were noticed by European football fans. He was named to the UEFA Champions League team.
Despite his dazzling talents, Gareth Bale remains a fringe player compared to Messi and Ronaldo. He is more of a match-winner and a world-class player but he is not at the level of those two. While we can’t expect Gareth Bale to score 30 goals this season, we can hope that he can learn from Messi and Ronaldo.
Thiago Silva
Chelsea have a number of midfielders, but Thiago Silva will be their most important player this season. The Brazilian international has played in the World Cup, and was an important part of Brazil’s triumph over the U.S. The Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has praised the Brazilian for his defensive ability, discipline, and leadership. Thiago Silva has 0 goals and 0 assists this season, but he is considered one of the best defensive players in history.
The Brazilian has a lot of talent and won the Samba d’Or award in 2012 and 2013. Rizzoli was voted the best arbitrator in Gran Cala’ del Cala’ when the Ligue 1 team announced their team of the year, with Ibrahimovic coming out on top. The Brazilian has a reputation for being a team player and will prove his worth this season.
Kevin Strootman
Manchester United target Kevin Strootman will be unavailable until January. While Strootman’s creativity will be missed, it will help the team in its Champions League campaign. The Dutch striker is second most fielded in the Italian league behind Alvaro Morata. While Ronaldo is expected to score more goals, Messi is more likely to hit 30. Will both Messi and Ronaldo score 30 goals this season?
Nemanja Matic
While there have been a lot of comparisons made between Nemanja Matic and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two Serbian superstars were on a par in one important match. Matic, 33, won the ball in midfield and chipped it to Ronaldo, who finished powerfully. The goal was his son’s first goal since the arrival of the club in 2010, but Matic’s son has said that he would prefer to play alongside his father in the future.
Both players have their fans and detractors, but it’s hard to argue with their achievements. Matic is a better teammate, but Ronaldo and Messi are legends. The Portuguese dominated the Premier League last season and was named the best player in Europe and the world in both of those categories. Those accolades are hard to top, and if anyone can beat them, it’s Nemanja Matic.
The two stars have been consistent in their scoring this season, but Messi has been the clear leader in the last five seasons. During this time, Messi has reached at least 50 G+A. He even scored over 50 goals in two seasons in a row in Real Madrid. Unlike Ronaldo, he hasn’t reached this number in any of his Juventus seasons.
Nemanja Vidic
It is unlikely that Nemanja Vidic will score 30 goals for Messi and Ronaldo this season, but the former Manchester United defender can be trusted with that task. He has a history of facing world-class strikers, including Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and Luis Suarez. However, he does admit that Aguero has a unique skill set and that he has learned from him.
There is a growing concern about Manchester United’s defensive capabilities, which has seen Vidic leave the club at the same time as Rio Ferdinand. Despite the absence of Vidic, the Red Devils have struggled to pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones together. Vidic is convinced that the lack of a defensive partnership stems from the fast-paced nature of the game.
If Nemanja Vidic could score 30 goals this season for Messi and Cristiano, the Premier League would be a great place for him. The Croatian defender has played in the Champions League final but failed to score. He has been a part of the team since he joined them, and has played against Messi twice a season. He should be the first one to score a hat-trick for Messi.
