Lionel Messi Takes a Record From Cristiano Ronaldo and Fuels the Race to Be Football’s All-Time Top Scorer

Lionel Messi was decisive in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders, scoring once and providing an assist to keep Las Garzas firmly in the MLS playoff race. Just minutes into the game, the Argentine set up Jordi Alba for the opener, and near halftime, the Spaniard returned the favor with a cross that Messi turned into Miami’s second goal.

With that performance, the World Cup champion reached 20 MLS goals and moved to within one strike of Sam Surridge, who leads the Golden Boot race with 21 goals.

Messi’s goal not only sealed victory in Fort Lauderdale but also marked a historic milestone. At 38 years and 84 days old, he became the fastest player ever to reach 880 official career goals, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo, who needed more matches (1214) and was older (39 years and 54 days) to hit the same figure.

However, Cristiano still tops the all-time scoring chart with 943 goals in 1,287 appearances — 63 ahead of Messi, who continues to close the gap with remarkable consistency.

There’s no rest for either legend. Cristiano will have the chance to extend his lead this Wednesday when Al-Nassr face Istiklol of Tajikistan in the Champions League Two.

Meanwhile, Messi is about to enter a decisive stretch in MLS: seven matches in just 29 days that will shape Inter Miami’s season. Currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with 49 points and three games in hand, Miami still dreams of chasing the Supporters’ Shield as the league’s best overall team.

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