UAE's Ali Mabkhout surpasses Messi and equals Pele in international goals

The Al Jazira striker scored his 77th international goal in 1-1 draw against Syria

UAE striker Ali Mabkhout in action against Syria in an AFC World Cup qualifier in Amman, Jordan, on September 6, 2021. WAM

UAE striker Ali Mabkhout surpassed Lionel Messi and moved level with Brazil great Pele on 77 international goals with his strike in Tuesday's 1-1 Asian 2022 World Cup qualifier draw against Syria.

The Al Jazira striker opened the scoring in Amman on 12 minutes before Al Baher equalised on 64 minutes at the King Abdullah II Stadium.

Mabkhout's goal extended his national record and moved him to second among active players behind only Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on 111. Messi has 76 goals for Argentina.

The draw against Syria follows an identical result against Lebanon five days previously in Dubai. The UAE's Group A campaign, which offers only two direct berths at Qatar 2022 and possibly a backdoor third, teeters already.

Bert van Marwijk's side next face Iraq and Iran in October.

List of top 10 international scorers

1.) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 111

2). Ali Daei (Iran) - 109

3). Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) - 89

4). Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) - 84

5). Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) - 79

6). Hussein Saeed (Iraq) - 78

7). Pele (Brazil) - 77

= Ali Mabkhout (UAE) - 77

9). Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 76

10). Kunishige Kamamoto (Japan) - 75

= Sunil Chhetri (India) - 75

= Bashar Abdullah (Kuwait) - 75