FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri goes past Lionel Messi's tally with brace against Bangladesh
Xtra Time Web Desk: India football captain Sunil Chhetri on Monday added yet another feather to his cap. The talisman has now scored more international goals than Argentine legend Lionel Messi. Chhetri, with his two goals against Bangladesh in the FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 joint qualifiers, went past Messi.
Chhetri took his tally of goals to 74 from 117 matches to consolidate his position in second place on the list of active footballers with most international goals. The list is headed by Portugese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo with 103 goals from 174 games. Both Ronaldo and Messi will get an opportunity to add to their tallies in the Euro 2020 and Copa America respectively.
36-year-old Chhetri overtook United Arab Emirates forward Ali Mabkhout and Messi to grab the second spot on the list of active goalscorers. Mabkhout has 73 goals from 89 appearances while Messi has netted 72 times for Argentina in 143 games.
Overall, Chettri is ranked 11th on the list of footballers with the most number of international goals. Iran's Ali Daei leads the list with 109 goals from 149 matches.
