List reveals the one player who has a better goals-per-game ratio than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 21st century
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest goalscorers in the history of football but both have been beaten to top spot in a list of goals-per-game ratio in the 21st century by one player.
The Argentine and Portuguese football legends have etched their names into history with their achievements over the past 20 years, collectively securing 13 Ballon d’Or awards.
Messi progressed through Barcelona’s youth system and played for the club until 2021, amassing nine La Liga titles and four Champions League victories. He then spent two seasons at PSG before joining Inter Miami in the MLS last summer, where he continues to play.
Ronaldo emerged at Sporting CP and moved to Manchester United in 2003 for about £12 million, where he won three Premier League titles and a Champions League. He then made a record £80 million transfer to Real Madrid in 2009, where he secured two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies over nearly ten years. Ronaldo also had a stint at Juventus, winning two Serie A titles in three years, before returning to United and is now with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League at age 39.
A recent list of goals-per-game ratios for 21st-century players shows neither Ronaldo nor Messi at the top. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now retired, ranks 10th with a ratio of 0.58 from 567 goals in 980 games. Luis Suarez is 9th with a 0.60 ratio from 576 goals in 968 matches. Ruud van Nistelrooy also has a 0.60 ratio, ranking 8th with 277 goals in 463 games.In the list of goals-per-game ratios for 21st-century players, the player with the highest ratio, surpassing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, is Erling Haaland. As of now, Haaland has an impressive ratio of approximately 0.88 goals per game, making him the most efficient goalscorer in the 21st century. His remarkable strike rate comes from his exceptional performances at clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.
