Messi, Ronaldo Top List of Players With the Most Goals in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues in the 21st Century

• Cristiano Ronaldo have once again headlined the list of footballers to score the most goals in Europe’s top 5 leagues in the 21st century
• The former Manchester United forward topped the list comprising of long-term rival Paris Saint-Germain hitman Lionel Messi
• Robert Lewandowski, Edinson Cavani, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic complete the list of the five players with the most goals scored

Cristiano Ronaldo may have left Europe, but the former Manchester United forward’s legacy in the continent still lives on despite his move to Saudi Arabia to join Al Nassr.

Ronaldo who holds the record for the most international goals scored, has been listed among the top footballers who have scored the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues in the 21st century.

The 37-year-old topped the list consisting of long-time rival and 7-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi who recently won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

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Here, Sports Brief with the help of Sportskeeda takes a look at the top five footballers to have scored more goals in all of Europe’s top five leagues.

These leagues consist of the English Premier League, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga, French Ligue 1, and German Bundesliga.

5. Edinson Cavani - 267 goals

Edinson Cavani is ranked as the fifth-best goal scorer in Europe’s top five leagues in the 21st century as the Uruguayan forward has scored 267 goals in his impressive career.

Cavani who recently signed for Valencia in the summer of 2022 after leaving Manchester United, has scored five goals in nine league appearances so far Spanish La Liga club.

For virtually his entire career, Cavani has been a forward who scores goals at an unusually high rate.

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The Uruguayan forward gained notoriety as a capable young striker at Palermo before blossoming into one of the greatest in the business while playing for Napoli.

Cavani would then leave Serie A to join Paris Saint-Germain where he enjoyed another successful spell before joining Manchester United in the English Premier League.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 301 goals

One of the finest attackers of the 21st century is Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Although Ibrahimovic has had a somewhat journeyman career, the fact that he has represented some of the top clubs in Europe is significant.

The 41-year-old forward has played for Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United in Europe's top five leagues.

Ibrahimovic who is back in his second stint with AC Milan has scored 301 goals in Europe's top five leagues so far in his illustrious career.

3. Robert Lewandowski – 325 goals

Poland and Barcelona forward, Robert Lewandowski has scored 325 goals in Europe's top five leagues so far in his career.

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The 34-year-old striker has climbed up this list the quickest in recent years as he has won the European Golden Shoe in the last two seasons.

Lewandowski scored 41 goals in the 2020–21 season, breaking Gerd Muller's previous mark of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga season.

The ex-Bayern Munich forward joined Barcelona last summer after leaving the Bundesliga's heavyweights, and he has worked to keep his performance levels high there.

2. Lionel Messi – 488 goals

Lionel Messi, who has only ever played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has amassed an incredible 488 goals in the top five leagues in Europe.

After enduring a difficult debut season at PSG, Messi is back to his best this term as the Argentine superstar forward has scored 8 goals and 10 assists in just 14 matches played in Ligue 1 this season.

Messi is regarded arguably as the greatest footballer of all time and he is also one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the sport.

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1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 495 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest goal scorer in the top five leagues in Europe in the 21st century as the Portugal international has scored a total of 495 goals scored.

Ronaldo has featured for top teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus in Europe’s top five leagues and enjoyed reasonable successes with all famous club sides.

The ex-Sporting Lisbon forward is also the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football with 118 goals and the UEFA Champions League with 140 goals.

Ronaldo has however joined Saudi Arabian top club Al Nassr after terminating his contract with Manchester United as the forward revealed he has conquered Europe and is now set for a new challenge in the Middle East.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported Lionel Messi chalked yet another remarkable landmark on his return to club action, after guiding Argentina to World Cup triumph.

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Messi scored the second goal for Paris Saint-Germain in his side's 2-0 win over Angers on Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes.

The 35-year-old playmaker took his total tally in Europe's top leagues to an outstanding total of 696, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's feat.