10 Champions League Records Messi Can Grab From Ronaldo After Al Nassr Move

• Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed an illustrious career in the Champions League during his spell in Europe
• His stints with Man United, Real Madrid, and Juventus saw him set a number of incredible records in the Champions League
• However, most of those records are at risk following his sensational switch to Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr

Lionel Messi has a golden opportunity of breaking 11 Champions League records currently held by rival Cristiano Ronaldo after the latter's departure from Manchester United.

Ronaldo ended his football spell in Europe after sealing a sensational transfer move to Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr.

The Portuguese star has played in Europe all his life but is now set for a fresh challenge in Asia with the Saudi giants, who he joined on a free transfer.

According to The Mirror, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has since all but confirmed there is no chance to play in Europe again.

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"As you mentioned before, my work in Europe is done. I won everything, I played at the most important clubs and for me now, it is a new challenge in Asia," Ronaldo said during his unveiling at Al Nassr.

Ronaldo's departure from Europe will now put a number of his records, especially in the Champions League at risk.

Messi is perhaps the only player who comes closest to breaking them, with the PSG ace having a golden chance to do that as he is still playing at the highest level.

Below are the top 11 records Messi can grab from Ronaldo:

1. Most appearances.

Ronaldo holds the record for most appearances in the Champions League.

The Portuguese made 187 appearances in the competition, six ahead of second-placed Iker Casillas, while Messi is third on 161.

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2. Most goals

Ronaldo netted 141 times in the Champions League during his spells with Man United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

The tally makes him the tournament's all-time top scorer.

Meanwhile, Messi has scored 129 times in the UCL and has 12 goals to go to catch Ronaldo.

3. Most assists

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most assists in the Champions League at 42.

Messi is just two assists short of that record.

4. Most penalties scored

Messi boasts of an incredible penalty conversion rate.

In the Champions League, he has scored 18 penalties, just one shy of Ronaldo's record of 19.

5. Most goals scored in one season

Ronaldo set the record for the most goals scored in one season when he netted 17 times in the Champions League during the 2013-14 season as he helped Real Madrid lift the trophy.

6. Most UEFA best player awards

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Cristiano Ronaldo has won the honours on four occasions compared to Messi's three.

7. Most Champions League wins

This is perhaps the biggest one on this list.

Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times, with his first coming during his first stint with Man United in 2008.

Messi, meanwhile, has won the tournament on four occasions, all coming during his long spell at Camp Nou.

8. Most finals scored in

Ronaldo has scored in three Champions League finals: in 2008 (Manchester United), 2014 (Real Madrid) and twice in 2017 for La Liga side.

Messi is just one goal behind, having scored for Barcelona on two occasions in the 2009 and 2011 finals.

9. Most goals in knockout games

More than a third of Ronaldo's Champions League goals have been scored in the knockout rounds of the competition.

The Portuguese has scored 67 goals in the knockout, while Messi has 49 goals.

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10. Most top-scorer awards

Ronaldo has won the top-scorer award seven times, with Messi bagging six.

Messi lifts 'fake' World Cup

Sports Brief earlier reported that the World Cup trophy Messi lifted, in the most-liked Instagram post in history, was reportedly a fake.

Messi had a dream World Cup campaign with Argentina during the 2022 edition in Qatar, as he helped the South Americans lift the trophy for the first time since 1986.

According to Goal, the trophy held by the star forward was actually a replica made by La Albiceleste fans that ended up on the pitch.