For 4 years he had 1 goal in 27 games. A winger doing tricks. No end product. While Messi was already scoring. He was laughed at. Then Roma, 2007. Two goals. He screamed. Then Moscow, 2008. Header in the rain. Then Madrid. 28 years old, 51 goals. Raúl had 71. Messi was catching up. They said he was finished. Then he went insane: 17 goals in 2014. La Decima. 16 in 2016. Winning penalty in Milan. 12 in 2017. 10 goals from quarters to final. 15 in 2018. Bicycle kick and the whole Juventus stadium clapped. 51 to 120 in 5 years. Look at your list now: Mbappé just entered top 5 with 72 goals. Haaland has 61 in 60. Messi has 129 magical goals. And at the top, alone, freezing: Cristiano Ronaldo - 140. The boy who needed 27 games for 1 goal, built a mountain so high it will take two careers to climb. He wasn't born the king of this tournament. He stole the crown.