After the first 2 rounds of Champions League matches, as usual both Messi and Ronaldo have been finding the net in a competition they have been frighteningly prolific in over the past 6 or 7 years.

However, this season has some added significance as both players are closing in rapidly on Raul’s all time goalscoring record of 71 goals in the Champions League.

Messi and Ronaldo started this year’s competition level on 67 goals each. Ronaldo has since edged into the lead on 69, having scored 2 goals in 2 appearances so far. Messi has managed just the 1 goal so far in his 2 appearances and so sits just behind on 68.

Whoever ultimately breaks the record, we’re certain to see the record go this season, probably even before the turn of the year, which could work in the record-breaker’s favour where the Ballon d’Or is concerned.

Raul’s 71 goal haul is a magnificent achievement, but you have to take into account the number of appearances required to set that record. Raul played 142 Champions League matches, resulting in an impressive – but not extraordinary – record of a goal every other game.

Ronaldo has scored his 69 goals in just 105 games (0.67 goals per game) and Messi has hit his 68 goals in just 88 Champions League games (0.77 goals per game).

Although it will be another feather in the cap for whoever reaches 72 goals first, the ultimate race between Messi and Ronaldo as far as the Champions League is concerned, is who will hold the record when both players hang up their boots. With the current goal tallies so closely matched, I imagine we will see the record change hands on numerious occassions over the next few years, but if you were giving odds, you’d have to favour the younger man, Messi.

Top 3 Champions League All Time Top Scorers

Player	Goals	Appearances	Ratio
Raul	71	142	0.5
Cristiano Ronaldo	69	105	0.66
Lionel Messi	68	88	0.77

Correct as of 2nd October 2014