Messi surpasses Ronaldo as PSG star sets two new Champions League records with strike against Maccabi

Lionel Messi set a new Champions League scoring record after helping Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 win at Maccabi Haifa in Group H on Wednesday night.

The Israeli side took a shock lead in the 24th minute through Tjaronn Chery before Messi drew PSG level on 37 minutes.

Messi’s goal means he has become the first player to find the net against 39 different teams in UEFA Champions League, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo who is on 38 and has missed out on elite continental competition this season with Manchester United.

It was the first time that Messi had scored a goal against a club from Israel. That meant that he has now scored against at least one club from all 19 different nations he has faced in the Champions League across his career.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner also became the first player to hit the net in 18 different Champions League seasons when breaking the deadlock in midweek, with French forward Benzema his closest challenger there – and he will match Messi’s efforts when opening his European account for 2022-23.