Historic! Lionel Messi Overtakes Ronaldo With Stunning MLS Brace

Lionel Messi keeps raising the bar for greatness. The Argentine star has officially passed his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo in total non-penalty goals, scoring his 764th and 765th during Inter Miami’s big 5-1 win over the NY Red Bulls in Major League Soccer (MLS).

What makes this even more impressive is that Messi reached this milestone in 167 fewer games than Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi tied and then broke the record in one game.

The magic happened at Red Bull Arena, where Messi was unstoppable. In the 60th minute, he matched Ronaldo’s record by taking a perfectly timed pass and slipping the ball past the goalkeeper. Then, in the 75th minute, he set a new record.

His second goal was classic Messi—dribbling past defenders, rounding the keeper, and calmly scoring. The Argentine star’s sharp finishing secured a 5-1 win and added another record to his name.

A Scoring Streak Like No Other

This was no fluke. Messi has been on fire in the MLS, with six braces in his last seven games. Prior to the Red Bulls match, he had scored two goals against Montreal, Columbus, Nashville, New England, and again Montreal.

This includes an outstanding performance against Nashville, when he became the first player in MLS history to score two or more in five consecutive regular-season matches.

Recap of Lionel Messi’s Brace-Streak Matches in MLS 2025:

• 🆚 NY Red Bulls (5-1) – 2 Goals
• 🆚 Montreal (4-2) – 2 Goals
• 🆚 Columbus (5-1) – 2 Goals
• 🆚 Montreal (4-1) – 2 Goals
• 🆚 New England Revolution (2-1) – 2 Goals
• 🆚 Nashville (2-1) – 2 Goals
• ❌ Loss to Cincinnati – streak snapped
• 🆚 NY Red Bulls (5-1) – 2 Goals

How Lionel Messi Keeps Getting Better with Age

At 38 years of age, Messi shows little sign of regress. Although many doubted his decision to move to Inter Miami, it’s clear that the class is permanent. Even at his current age, his vision, sharpness, and killer instincts inside the box remain unparalleled.

It only furthers the GOAT conversation that he is scoring more efficiently and creating more chances than most players 10 years his junior.

Messi vs Ronaldo – Updated Goal Stats (Non-Penalty)

With this record, Messi strengthens his case as the most efficient goal-scorer of all time.

As Lionel Messi keeps shining near the end of his career, people everywhere are amazed. Breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for non-penalty goals isn’t just a number—it’s a moment that will define his legacy.

No matter if you’re on Team Messi or Team Ronaldo, one thing is certain—we’re living through the greatest time in football history.