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The International break that took place this and the last week had all of the world's top players in action for their respective nations. Due to the popularity of club football, the International matches that are played across the international break have taken a backseat in the recent past.
However with some very important international tournaments to come in the next few years, the performance of world's top players such as Messi, Ronaldo, James and others will be crucial to their country's hopes of winning much coveted international silverware.
So here is a look at the how world’s top players have performed for their respective nations since they made their international debuts.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's leading goalscorer with an impressive 55 goals in 122 matches for the Iberian nation. He made his debut for the national team at the age of 18 years against Kazakhstan.
Often accused of not performing at the same level for his country as for his club Real Madrid, the current Ballon D’ Or holder was perilously close to winning major silverware in his first major tournament with the Portuguese national team in their home country but were ultimately defeated by Greece in the final of 2004 Euros. He has a goal ratio of 0.45 for the national team as compared to more than a goal a game ratio for his club.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi is Argentina second highest goal scorer with 49 goals in 105 matches and only 7 goals behind Argentina’s top goalscorer Gabriel Batistuta. He made his debut for Argentina at the age of just 16 years in a friendly against Portugal.
Like Ronaldo, he is also accused of not performing for his country when it matters with his critics pointing at his poor performances in the World Cup final and the Copa America final. Any international silverware has eluded Argentina since 1993 and Lionel Messi has not been able to change that. But with almost a decade of football left in him Messi will definetly surpass Batistuta to become Albiceleste’s top goal scorer sooner rather than later.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s top goal scorer and most famous player. The maverick striker has scored 57 goals in 107 appearances for the Scandinavians. With Sweden not yet reaching any close to winning a major final in International football, much will depend upon Ibra if Sweden have to qualify and perform above expectations in the European championships next summer in France.
Gareth Bale (Wales)
Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has had a fantastic year for Wales. The Welsh are currently on the brink of European Championship qualification and ranked among the top 10 countries in the world.
Bale is now on the brink of leading Wales to their first ever major finals in almost 50 years. Some regard him even higher than Ryan Giggs as the best Welsh player of all time. He has scored 18 goals in 52 appearances for his country.
Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Uruguay and FC Barcelona star Luis Suarez has had a very controversial international career to date. From saving a goal by his hand at the 2010 world cup against Ghana to biting Georgio Chiellini at the 2014 world cup, Suarez has had his share of controversies wearing the Uruguayan jersey.
These controversies do not seem to affect his goal scoring record though, having scored 43 goals in 82 appearances for the national side.Despite currently being banned due to the biting incident, Suarez is still Uruguay’s top goal scorer.
| Name | Appearances | Goals | Goal Ratio | Assists |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 122 | 55 | 0.45 | 11 |
| Lionel Messi | 105 | 49 | 0.46 | 13 |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 107 | 57 | 0.53 | 7 |
| Gareth Bale | 52 | 18 | 0.34 | 6 |
| Luis Suarez | 82 | 43 | 0.53 | 5 |
| Neymar Jr. | 67 | 46 | 0.68 | 15 |
| James Rodriguez | 38 | 12 | 0.31 | 4 |
| Thomas Muller | 65 | 30 | 0.46 | 13 |
| Arjen Robben | 87 | 28 | 0.32 | 14 |
(Source: ESPN stats and Statsbunker)
Neymar Jr. (Brazil)
Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. has had an incredible international career to date in reference to personal records with the Barcelona superstar having already scored 46 goals in 67 appearances for the Seleccao. Despite not achieving the dream of winning the world cup on his home soil, Neymar is still only 23 years old and will definitely surpass top scorer Pele sometime soon.
James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Real Madrid’s golden boy James Rodriguez burst onto the world stage with his stellar performances for Colombia in the 2014 world cup which earned him the Golden Boot ahead of the likes of Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben. He scored 6 goals in the tournament and also won the Puskas award for his volley against Uruguay. The left-footed midfielder has scored 12 goals in 38 appearances for his country.
Thomas Muller (Germany)
Germany's Thomas Muller was one of the stars of the German team that won the 2014 world cup. Despite being only 25 he has won the golden Boot and is just 6 goals away from breaking fellow countryman Miroslav Klose’s record of most goals at he world cup. He has also scored 30 goals in 65 senior appearances for the Die Mannschaft.
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Arjen Robben has been holland’s most important players for a few years now. He was one of the best players at the 2014 world cup. The Dutchman has scored 28 goals in 87 appearances for his country.
