ESPN analyst Shaka Hislop believes Lionel Messi will surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA Club World Cup scoring record. The former West Ham player made his prediction despite Messi's Inter Miami team drawing 0-0 with Egypt's Al Ahly during their tournament opener. Hislop expects another player to eventually break Messi's future record because the competition has expanded to 32 teams. Ronaldo holds the current record with seven goals across eight tournament appearances. The Portuguese star won the Club World Cup four times with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Messi has captured the trophy three times with Barcelona and scored five goals during six tournament matches. His Argentine team failed to find the back of the net against the African champions during their first game. Ronaldo cannot add to his goal tally since he does not compete in this year's tournament with Al Nassr. The new format gives teams more opportunities to score goals throughout the expanded competition. Hislop remains confident that Messi will become the tournament's all-time leading scorer before the competition ends.
Messi has captured the trophy three times with Barcelona and scored five goals during six tournament matches. His Argentine team failed to find the back of the net against the African champions during their first game. Ronaldo cannot add to his goal tally since he does not compete in this year's tournament with Al Nassr. The new format gives teams more opportunities to score goals throughout the expanded competition. Hislop remains confident that Messi will become the tournament's all-time leading scorer before the competition ends.
