Xherdan Shaqiri: The Swiss Maestro Who Rolled Back the Years
Xherdan Shaqiri is not exactly a household name in European football anymore, having traded the Premier League for MLS with Chicago Fire. But boy, can he still pack a punch on the international stage. The 32-year-old Swiss winger’s brilliant finish against Scotland in the Euro 2024 group stages has sealed an incredible record – he’s now the first player to score at all three of the last European Championships and all three of the last World Cups.
The Unlikely Record-Breaker
What’s even more remarkable is that Shaqiri achieved this feat while being younger than the likes of Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne. Yes, you read that right – the former Stoke City man is still 32 years young and going strong. This stat is a testament to his remarkable talent, dedication, and longevity in the sport.
The Players Who’ve Scored at the Most International Tournaments
So, where does Shaqiri rank among the players who’ve scored at the most international tournaments? According to a list we’ve compiled, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the top two, both having scored at 10 different tournaments each. Messi, in fact, overtook Ronaldo on the list with his goal in the Copa América 2024, taking his total to 27 goals in those tournaments.
Other Notable Names
Third on the list is Ghana legend Asamaoh Gyan, who has scored at eight separate tournaments with the Black Stars, netting 14 goals. Brazilian legend Zizinho, on the other hand, scored in seven tournaments, bagging 19 goals. Rounding out the top five are Ghanian player André Ayew, who scored in seven tournaments, and Ángel Di María, who scored in seven separate tournaments for Argentina, but with a lower total of eight goals.
The Complete List
Here’s the complete list of players who’ve scored at the most international tournaments:
- Lionel Messi – 27 goals, 10 tournaments
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 22 goals, 10 tournaments
- Asamaoh Gyan – 14 goals, 8 tournaments
- Zizinho – 19 goals, 7 tournaments
- André Ayew – 13 goals, 7 tournaments
- Ángel Di María – 8 goals, 7 tournaments
And Where Does Shaqiri Rank?
Shaqiri himself comes in 16th on the list, with 10 goals in total from six separate tournaments. Not bad for a man who’s no longer a regular face in European football.
Call to Action
That’s it for today’s article. Stay tuned for more updates on the beautiful game by following us on all social media platforms. Let’s get the conversation started – who do you think will be the next player to join the exclusive club of scoring at the most international tournaments?