Lionel Messi has moved past the goal tally of Cristiano Ronaldo in European club football in a significantly shorter period of time after his weekend Ligue 1 goal

Lionel Messi scored for Paris Saint-Germain at Nice on Saturday 

.Lionel Messi has surpassed the goal-scoring record of Cristiano Ronaldo in European club football – in 105 games fewer.

Messi netted his 19th club goal of the campaign as Paris Saint-Germain recorded a two-goal victory in Ligue 1 away at Nice on Saturday. It was the 702nd goal of his club career and took him one clear of his long-term rival Ronaldo.

The Argentine’s future in the French capital looks more uncertain than ever after the club put contract talks on hold over financial concerns, but he continues to set multiple records and remains lethal when in front of goal.

Ronaldo completed an eye-catching move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in January to end his spell in European football. He said at the time: “I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football. I feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia.”

That ensured his goal tally for European clubs ended at 701, the majority of which (450) came at Real Madrid and bagging 145 across two spells with Manchester United, five for Sporting CP and 101 across three seasons at Juventus.

Ronaldo’s nine years in Madrid saw him obliterate the club’s goal-scoring record with a scarcely believable 450 goals in just 438 appearances, before leaving for Juventus in 2018.

Messi’s 672 goals across 16 Barca matches was not just the club’s highest-ever goal tally, but more than tallies of the second-highest, third-highest and fourth-highest combined.