Lionel Messi may have played his final World Cup qualifier on home soil, but he made it a memorable one. The Inter Miami star scored twice in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela, lifting his career total with the national team to 114 goals. The milestone immediately reignited comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo’s international scoring record with Portugal.

While Messi reached goal No. 114 during Thursday’s South American qualifier, Ronaldo remains the all-time leader in men’s international soccer with 138 goals for Portugal. The two superstars sit first and second on the list, followed by Iran’s Ali Daei, who retired with 108.

The night carried extra emotion in Buenos Aires, where Messi confirmed this would be his last qualifier in Argentina. Beyond his record as the country’s all-time lea

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