Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic record that Lionel Messi is on track to break

Lionel Messi continues to chase greatness, and now he’s eyeing another major record — most matches played since the year 2000. As of now, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio have played more. With the Club World Cup underway, Messi could close the gap even further.

Comparisons between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo always spark debate among soccer fans. While the Portuguese star remains the player with the most matches played since 2000, the Argentine icon is closing in on this historic milestone.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Match Record: The Milestone Messi Has in His Sights

According to a unique ranking by Transfermarkt, Cristiano Ronaldo leads all players with 1,300 matches played since the year 2000. However, Lionel Messi isn’t far behind, with 1,142 games under his belt — a staggering number that could grow even more if he continues playing in the years ahead.

Ronaldo, known for his longevity and consistency, firmly holds the top spot, ahead of many other football greats. But as Messi remains active, the gap between them continues to shrink.

Another name worth noting is Fabio, the veteran Brazilian goalkeeper for Fluminense, who currently holds second place with 1,177 matches played. Both Messi and Fabio continue adding to their tallies, and with both players competing in the Club World Cup in the United States, there’s a real chance the rankings could shift again.

Players with the Most Matches Played Since 2000

The ranking of players with the most appearances since the 2000/01 season reveals some truly impressive numbers. Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabio, and Lionel Messi headline a list filled with legendary names. Here are the top 10:

• Cristiano Ronaldo – 1,300 matches
• Fabio – 1,177 matches
• Lionel Messi – 1,142 matches
• João Moutinho – 1,071 matches
• Yasuhito Endō – 1,057 matches
• Andrés Iniesta – 1,046 matches
• Luka Modrić – 1,033 matches
• Dani Alves – 1,019 matches
• Ivan Rakitić – 1,014 matches
• Sergio Ramos – 1,015 matches

As the numbers continue to rise for these players, fans around the world watch closely to see if Messi can eventually surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic record — a feat that would add yet another chapter to their legendary rivalry.