A Premier League free weekend, so let’s talk stats. And let’s talk an ex-PL star for a minute. Cristiano Ronaldo.
His hat-trick on Thursday (vs Lithuania) – the 55th of his career – took his international goals tally to 98.
Note: By the time you read this he may well have totted up the round ton in Luxembourg.
This only has Ron second on the all-time list though. And we all know that Cristiano doesn’t enjoy coming second.
Mrs Ronaldo might know different, but from the look of her, he does well to get both legs out his Juventus trackie bottoms…
The current (and surely only temporary) international Top Gun is Ali Daei.
No, not the clown that Graeme Souness signed for Southampton because he claimed to be a mate of George Weah. Whose distinguished 53-minute Saints career consisted of four touches – one left foot, one right foot, both shins. And two substitutions – one on (32nd minute), one-off (87th minute).
That’s Ali Dia. I’m talking about Ali Daei. Iran legend and scorer of 109 goals in 149 matches.
Good numbers. But the vast majority of these matches were against the likes of Qatar… Syria… Bahrain… and the Maldives (are there even 11 blokes on the Maldives?). So well done and everything, Ali. But it doesn’t really compare to what Ronaldo has done during his 16 years at the sharp end for Portugal.
Here’s the breakdown
International Friendlies: 17
World Cup Finals: 7
World Cup Qualifiers: 30
Euro Championships: 9
Euro Qualifiers: 30
UEFA Nations League: 3
Confederations Cup: 2
For a bit of context, number three on the list is Pele (with 77). Yes, Pele. Three-time World Cup winner. Fronting the greatest footballing nation. During their greatest ever period of success.
And probably. Arguably. Still. The greatest footballer. Of all time.
Ronaldo is 30 ahead of Messi… 36 ahead of Zlatan… 47 ahead of Henry… So far. And surely it is only a matter of time before Ali Daei’s 109 haul is reeled in. And then folks, that will be that. And we’ll miss him.
Wanna hear my favourite stat about Ronaldo?
A 7th-minute penalty v Atletico Madrid in his final season at Real meant that he has scored at least once in every minute of a match. Including 22 goals in the 90th.
And the most depressing stat?
The only player with a realistic chance of topping Cristiano’s international goal tally…? Romelu Lukaku. The heavy-first-touched one is currently on 51 from 83. Please no.
