- Lionel Messi broke the most non-penalty goals record over the weekend in Inter Miami’s 5-1 win over New York Red Bulls.
- Messi scored two goals in that match to increase his non-penalty goals to 764 and in the process overtake Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Ronaldo and Messi are regarded as two of the best football players to play the beautiful game in the 21st century.
Even as he enters the final stages of his remarkable football career, Lionel Messi continues to break records.
Messi, reached an incredible milestone on Sunday, July 20, 2025 in Inter Miami’s 5-1 demolition of New York Red Bulls.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner found the net twice to break the most non-penalty record.
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Lionel Messi reaches 764 non-penalty goals
Messi scored the goals in the 60th and 75th minutes of the one-sided match that was staged at the Red Bull Arena in New York.
Jordi Alaba and Telasco Segovia were also on the score sheet for Inter Miami with the latter bagging a brace. On the other side, Hack scored NY Red Bull’s only goal in the earlier stages of the first half.
The two goals ensured Messi increased his non-penalty goals tally to 764, one more than the previous record holder Cristiano Ronaldo.
Most of his goals came while playing for La Liga giants FC Barcelona where he helped them win numerous trophies including the coveted UEFA Champions League titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still ahead of Lionel Messi in overall ranking
On the other hand, Ronaldo, who recently captained the Portugal national team to the UEFA Nations League title, continues to sit at the top of the other ranking that takes into account spot kicks.
The 40-year-old leads the race with 938 goals while Messi sits second having netted a total 865 goals in his career.
Ronaldo also boasts of more Ballon d’Or trophies than Messi. The player, who has previously played for the likes of Manchester United and Juventus, has clinched 8 Ballon d’Or laurels compared to Messi’s five.
Messi’s new record is expected to give his die-hard fans a push in the hotly contested greatest of all-time (GOAT) debate since he also has a FIFA World Cup title in his trophy cabinet while Ronaldo is yet to taste that type of success.
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