Messi leaves Cristiano Ronaldo behind in top statistic

Major League Soccer continues to witness the Lionel Messi phenomenon. On Saturday, the Argentine maestro once again proved decisive, orchestrating a crucial away victory for Inter Miami over the New York Red Bulls in their pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield. Messi didn’t just lead; he completely stole the show.

With another brace and an assist, Messi added to his incredible run of form. He has now recorded six braces in Inter Miami’s last seven matches—only the recent game against Cincinnati saw him fail to score.

His latest heroics not only keep him atop the MLS Golden Boot race alongside Sam Surridge, but also helped him surpass yet another milestone—this time eclipsing his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Thanks to his two goals against the Red Bulls, Messi has now scored 764 goals excluding penalties, overtaking Ronaldo’s tally of 763. Before this match, Ronaldo held a slim lead by two goals, but Messi’s brace tipped the scales in his favor.

Of course, the rivalry is far from over. Ronaldo continues to score regularly for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and will be eager to reclaim his edge. Still, this particular record—goals scored from open play or non-penalty situations—adds another chapter to their legendary competition, which remains intense despite both players being well into their 30s.

And while Messi’s lead may only be by a single goal, there’s a deeper stat that underscores his brilliance. Messi has scored his 764 non-penalty goals in just 1,113 matches. Ronaldo, by comparison, reached 763 in 1,281 games—a staggering difference of 168 matches, highlighting the efficiency and consistency of the Argentine World Cup winner.