Lionel Messi’s remarkable 2024 MLS season continued to shine as he became the all-time leading goal scorer for Inter Miami. With 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 regular-season games, Messi’s influence was undeniable. However, despite his efforts, Inter Miami was knocked out of the MLS Cup playoffs following a 2-3 loss to Atlanta United.
Source: Hindustan Times
The Barcelona legend reached a major milestone, scoring his 850th career goal, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous record of 850 goals. Lionel Messi achieved this feat in 1,081 official matches, while Ronaldo reached the same milestone after playing 1,179 matches.
Although Lionel Messi has now surpassed Ronaldo in this regard, the Portuguese forward still holds a slight advantage with 908 career goals. Ronaldo recently remarked, “If I reach 1,000 goals, great. But even if I don’t, I’m the player with the most official goals in history.” Ronaldo also emphasized the importance of living in the present, rather than focusing on future achievements.
In terms of individual accolades, Messi has earned eight Ballon d’Or titles, surpassing Ronaldo’s five, as well as eight FIFA World Player of the Year awards compared to Ronaldo’s five. Messi has also won six European Golden Shoes, outpacing Ronaldo, who has won four.
Head-to-head, Messi has a slight advantage over Ronaldo with 15 wins, nine draws, and 10 losses in competitive club matches. The two football legends have also faced each other in international friendlies and club friendlies, with Messi leading the count in their encounters.
Both Messi and Ronaldo are no longer playing in Europe, and their head-to-head meetings have become a rare occurrence. However, their respective careers remain among the most celebrated in football history, with both players continuing to add to their legacies.
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