Lionel Messi now holds the record for the most non-penalty goals in football history, surpassing his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentine forward achieved the milestone during Inter Miami’s 5–1 win over New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on 20 July. He scored twice in the second half to reach 764 non-penalty goals in his career, edging ahead of Ronaldo’s 763. Remarkably, Messi needed 167 fewer games to do it.
The 37-year-old opened the scoring with a trademark solo run, weaving through the defence and rounding the goalkeeper before finishing into an empty net in the 60th minute. He added a second 15 minutes later, chesting down a cross before placing the ball beyond the keeper.
It was Messi’s sixth brace in seven MLS appearances and helped Inter Miami bounce back after a 3–0 defeat to FC Cincinnati, which had ended his run of five consecutive games with at least two goals.
Messi’s streak started with a 4–2 win against Montreal, followed by braces against Columbus (5–1), New England Revolution (2–1), and Montreal again (4–1). He also netted twice in a 2–1 victory over Nashville, becoming the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in five straight regular-season matches.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner returned to domestic league action in superb form after Inter Miami’s early exit from the revamped FIFA Club World Cup earlier this summer.
