Lionel Messi Beats Another Big Cristiano Ronaldo Record After Scoring for PSG

• Argentina skipper Lionel Messi is currently the footballer with the most club goals scored
• The dribbling magician scored against Montpellier to beat Cristiano Ronaldo in this stat
• Excluding friendlies, Messi has scored 697 club goals while Ronaldo has 696 to his name

Lionel Messi has continued to underpin his GOAT reputation over long-term rival, Cristiano Ronaldo after smashing another record previously held by the Portuguese star.

The Paris Saint-Germain star was on target on Wednesday in their 3-1 over Montpellier, to go five points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

It was the 35-year-old's 697th goal in the top five European leagues, surpassing the record of his long-term nemesis Ronaldo.

Messi achieved the feat in 84 fewer games than the Real Madrid legend, the Sun reports. It took just 835 matches for the Argentine genius to smash the stat, whereas Ronaldo netted 696 goals in 919 appearances.

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Before the game at Stade de la Mosson, La Albiceleste's captain had notched 696 goals since his senior club career debut in 2004, bagging 14 goals this season for the Parc des Princes outfit.

With Ronaldo joining Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr, he will probably end his career without increasing his goal tally in Europe’s top five.

The Portuguese icon netted 450 goals during his nine-year stint with Real Madrid. He also scored 145 goals for Manchester United and 101 for Juventus.

Both Ronaldo and Messi have a combined 76 major trophies.

Messi: 'I have achieved everything'

Sports Brief also reported PSG superstar, Messi claiming he completed football after inspiring his country to another World Cup title.

The 35-year-old finally laid his hands on the Mundial last December, scoring seven and contributing with three assists.

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Messi also finished the tournament as the Most Valuable Player, cementing himself as one of the greatest football has ever seen.

PSG identify heir to Messi

PSG are already preparing for possible life without the Argentine maestro, with the Ligue 1 champions having reportedly identified a replacement for Messi.

The Parisians are said to want Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford to come on board should the Argentina skipper choose to leave Parc des Princes.

According to Sportskeeda, the French champions are willing to pay a massive €75-million to land the Red Devils' star in the summer ahead of the 2023-24 season.