Leo Messi breaks another Cristiano Ronaldo record: what is it about?

Published New:21/07/2025 - 02:08h

Updated New:21/07/2025 - 02:56h

Leo Messi scored another double in Inter Miami's rout against NY Red Bulls (1-5). With that, 'La Pulga' surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in goals, not counting penalties

Inter Miami added another rout in the MLS on Saturday night (early Sunday morning in Spain), with a comfortable 'manita' against the New York Red Bulls (1-5). Leo Messi scored a double, while Jordi Alba and Telasco Segobia (another double) closed the rout.

For 'La Pulga', his two goals in the 'Big Apple' allowed him to reach 19 goals in 22 matches this 2025 with the 'herons', 18 of them in the same number of MLS matchdays. Javier Mascherano's team has 41 points and is fifth in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind Cincinnati and with three games less.

Leo Messi leaves Cristiano Ronaldo behind in an eternal duel

Leo Messi in the match between Inter Miami and Porto in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

In that sense, Messi continues to add records to his legendary career, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo again in the historic hand-to-hand between goalscorers. With his double against the Red Bulls, the Argentine reached 764 goals without counting the penalties scored.

With that, the Argentine '10' adds one more goal than 'CR7' (763). In addition, 'La Pulga' needed 167 fewer matches than the captain of Portugal (1,281) to reach this figure. For the moment, the former FC Barcelona player has played 1,114 matches between clubs and national team.

The offensive records in which Messi surpasses Cristiano

For the moment, Leo surpasses 'CR7' in goals scored from free kicks (69 to 64), average goals per game (0.78 the Argentine, 0.73 the Portuguese), minutes required to score (Messi scores every 105', Ronaldo every 112') and in shooting efficiency.

While the Argentine needs, on average, 5.36 shots to score, the Portuguese needs 6.53 shots per goal. In addition, due to age, the former Barça youth player also has an advantage.

Record	Leo Messi	Cristiano Ronaldo
Goals scored from free kicks	69	64
Average goal per game	0.78	0.73
Goal every x minutes	105	112
Goal every x shots	5.36	6.53
Penalties scored	110	175
Total goals	874	938

'La Pulga' turned 38 last June 24, while Cristiano will reach the next World Cup with 41 years completed (he will reach this age on February 5).

He makes it look easy, but he's from another planet 🪐🐐 pic.twitter.com/diGsLaF3SB
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 20, 2025

The Portuguese, however, has scored more goals from penalties (175) and his effectiveness is 85.3% after 205 official launches. Messi, on the other hand, has 110 penalty goals in 141 attempts, with an effectiveness of 78 %. For the moment, both exceed 30 missed launches (30 Ronaldo, 31 Messi).

FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORKS: