Today marks a special day in the beautiful game: on the 5th of February, Portuguese and Brazilian superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar were brought into this world.
Friday is the birthday of two of 2015’s three Ballon d’Or finalists, with the Selecao skipper turning 24, and his Los Blancos rival turning 31.
Both made a name for themselves in their home country – Cristiano with Sporting Lisbon and Neymar with Santos – before sealing moves to Europe’s elites due to their flare and eye-catching performances.
Although seven year separate the two, both are at the pinnacle of world football: one enjoying yet another record-breaking season yet despite his age, the other rising as one of the world’s best players.
The two have registered a combined goal tally of 778 goals, and have won numerous numbers of trophies and accolades in Europe. Here are some of their individual stats.
Cristiano – 31 and still going strong
Ronaldo has long been an established presence in world football; as a result, discussing his entire career and achievements (and they are many) would be almost impossible, unless one is writing a biography.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to @realmadrid & Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who turns 31 today.https://t.co/RFRPKlE6yl pic.twitter.com/HXzYrjBXvG
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) February 5, 2016
Although success with his national side has evaded him, Ronnie has won it all in club football, lifting the English Premier League (3), FA Cup (1), La Liga (1), Copa del Rey (2), UEFA Champions League (2), and FIFA Club World Cup (2), just to name a few.
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The 31-year-old has an astonishing 518 goals to his name for both club and country, with 344 of those coming in a Real Madrid jersey, where he is the club’s all-time leading scorer.
The former Man United goalscoring machine is also UEFA Champions League and Portugal national side’s record scorer with 88 and 55 strikes, respectively.
He also has three Ballon d'Or wins and a record four European Golden Boot awards to his name.
GOALS THIS SEASON: LA LIGA: 19 (TOP-SCORER), UCL: 11 (TOP-SCORER)
Neymar – 24 and already one of the best
Neymar’s list of achievements is impressive: he is Brazil’s captain and fifth highest scorer in history with 46 strikes, whilst also having won a La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup medal.
The Selecao ace also has a Copa Libertadores (2011), FIFA Confederations Cup (2013), and a FIFA Puskas Award (2011) to his name, and all by the age of 24.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to @FCBarcelona & Brazil superstar Neymar, who turns 24 today. #Neymar24https://t.co/RFRPKlE6yl pic.twitter.com/o7C8dfnnYi
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) February 5, 2016
With 211 club goals, Neymar has more club and international goals than both Cristiano and Messi when they were 24, having scored 75 times in 121 appearances for the Blaugrana.
GOALS THIS SEASON – LA LIGA: 16, Copa del Rey: 3, UCL: 2
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