Lionel Messi has added another historic milestone to his legendary career, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo as football’s all-time leading non-penalty goalscorer during Inter Miami’s dominant 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls.
The Argentine maestro netted a brilliant brace at Red Bull Arena, taking his non-penalty career tally to 764 goals—one clear of Ronaldo’s previous record of 763. Remarkably, Messi achieved the feat in 167 fewer games than his long-time rival, further cementing his reputation as one of the most clinical finishers the sport has ever seen.
The 36-year-old drew level with Ronaldo in the 60th minute, showcasing his trademark composure to finish off a well-worked Miami attack. He then made history 15 minutes later with an exquisite piece of control and finishing—bringing down a floated pass with his chest before calmly slotting home to seal both his second goal of the night and his place at the top of football’s non-penalty scoring charts.
Inter Miami had initially fallen behind to an early Alexander Hack strike, but goals from Jordi Alba and a double from Telasco Segovia swung momentum in their favor before Messi took center stage to cap off the emphatic victory.
This latest achievement further solidifies Messi’s legacy as one of football’s greatest ever players, even as he continues to shine in Major League Soccer. With his relentless efficiency and enduring class, the World Cup winner shows no signs of slowing down.
