Lionel Messi has once again etched his name in football history, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo for the most non-penalty goals scored in a career. This latest achievement in July 2025 arrived after Messi's brace against the New York Red Bulls while playing for Inter Miami.
The Argentinian superstar now boasts 764 non-penalty goals, edging past Ronaldo's 763. While Ronaldo still holds the overall record for total career goals, this milestone underscores Messi's prowess from open play.
Messi's recent form has been remarkable, with six braces in his last seven appearances for Inter Miami. In the match against the New York Red Bulls, Messi not only scored twice in the second half but also provided an assist to Jordi Alba in the first half. His contributions helped Inter Miami secure a 5-1 victory. Moreover, his two goals in the game made him the top goalscorer of the MLS with 18 goals.
It's worth noting that Messi reached the 740 non-penalty goal mark in fewer games than Ronaldo. Messi accomplished this feat in 1,078 matches, while Ronaldo needed 1,245 matches to reach 739 non-penalty goals.
Despite no longer competing in the same league as Ronaldo, Messi continues to fuel the rivalry between the two legends. While the Ballon d'Or races may be behind them, this record highlights the ongoing battle between them. Both players are in the twilight years of their careers, with Ronaldo expected to play for two more years and Messi for at least one more.
