Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe: Who scored the most goals by age 21?

Football fans have borne witness to many young talents over the years, who burst onto the scene and began tearing up defences seemingly overnight.

There are few things that grab the attention of football fans across the world more than a formidable goal scorer. It’s something about them, the aura they carry, the glory they seize. It’s the hardest thing to do, score consistently as the eyes of the world watch on.

So, when a young teenager barely out of school uniform turns up and begins to run riot against hardened professionals, everyone sits up and takes notice.

Recent examples of this kind of dynamite young star would be Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. But how do they fare in comparison to the superstars of the past?

Well, in terms of goals before the age of 21, pretty darn well.

Check out the top 10 in that regards as follows:

10. Cristiano Ronaldo – 36 goals in 182 appearances

9.  Lionel Messi – 51 goals in 140 appearances

8. Karim Benzema – 62 goals in 143 appearances

7. Wayne Rooney – 66 goals in 212 appearances

6. Michael Owen – 76 goals in 156 appearances

5. Sergio Aguero – 84 goals in 213 appearances

4. Kylian Mbappe – 116 goals in 199 appearances

3. Erling Haaland – 118 goals in 168 appearances

2. Neymar – 140 goals in 220 appearances

1. Ronaldo Nazario – 167 goals in 185 appearances

There you have it, the illustrious ‘R9’ still reigns supreme. The Brazilian was on another level in the early stages of his career, leaving a trail of destruction in his path at Cruzeiro, PSV, and Barcelona, before becoming the youngest ever recipient of the Ballon D’or in 1997. He wasn’t called ‘O Fenômeno’ for nothing.

Haaland just about did enough to pip present day rival Mbappe to third on the star-studded list. Although,