No. 1 in the World Cup! Messi scored 8 goals and was crowned the scorer king, 27 goals behind Ronaldo

The 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup South American qualifiers have concluded. After as many as 18 games, the defending World Cup champion Argentina ranks first in the South American qualifiers, and the star Messi is the 8-goal crowned scorer.

Because Argentina qualified early, Messi got a rest in the last game, and Argentina played away against Ecuador in the final game. Argentina lost 0-1 in this game, but the results of the game did not affect Argentina's ranking. On the contrary, Ecuador ranked second in the South American qualifiers with this victory. South American has 6 places to go directly to the World Cup. The teams that directly qualify are Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. Bolivia, ranked 7th, is going to participate in the Intercontinental Playoffs. In 18 games, Argentine captain Messi scored 8 goals, so he ranked first in the South American qualifiers scorer list and won the South American qualifiers Golden Boot! It is worth mentioning that this is Messi's first time winning the scorer's title in the World Cup South American qualifiers, and it is also the 30th time Messi has been elected the best scorer in his career.

Messi, who is already 38 years old, scored 114 goals in his entire national team career, and scored 36 goals in the World Cup qualifiers. Ronaldo, who is two years older than Messi, is constantly breaking through himself. Ronaldo, who is 40 years old, scored 141 goals in the national team, leading Messi 27 goals. Ronaldo scored 39 goals in the World Cup, leading Messi by 3 goals.

The peerless twins are approaching the end of their careers, but they are constantly breaking football records. Next year's World Cup may be the last dance of the "Mero Ro era".