Messi now has 764 non-penalty goals—1 more than Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi might have left European football, but he’s still rewriting history. Over the weekend, he scored two goals for Inter Miami in a 5–1 win against the New York Red Bulls. That brace—his sixth in just seven games—pushed his non-penalty goal total to 764, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo by one.
What makes it more impressive is that Messi needed 167 fewer games than Ronaldo to get there. His consistency and sharpness at 38 are nothing short of remarkable.
The MLS Golden Boot race is heating up, and Messi is right at the heart of it. He’s now tied with Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, both sitting at 18 goals this season. Since joining Inter Miami in mid-2023, Messi has recorded 58 goals and 26 assists in just 68 appearances. Only two of those goals came from the penalty spot.
Cristiano Ronaldo, now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has managed 93 goals in 105 games, alongside 11 assists. However, 25 of those goals were penalties. When it comes to goals from open play, Messi is ahead and more efficient.
Though both superstars have entered the final stages of their careers, the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate lives on. In a recent interview, Messi spoke respectfully about their long-standing rivalry:
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano… The competition with him was on the pitch. Off the pitch, we are two normal people.”
Neither Messi nor Ronaldo is likely to claim another Ballon d’Or, but their performances remain world-class. Messi will feature in the upcoming MLS All-Star Game, while Ronaldo is expected to return to Saudi Pro League action in August.
The leagues may have changed, but their battle for greatness continues.
