Messi shines in Inter Miami's big win and breaks Ronaldo's record

Lionel Messi had the New York crowd on their feet throughout the night with yet another masterclass of football brilliance, guiding Inter Miami to a dominant 5-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.

From his mesmerizing dribbles to his trademark vision and clinical finishing, Messi once again reminded the world why, even at 38 years old, he remains an unstoppable force in world football.

The Argentine superstar delivered two goals and an assist in a performance that was as effective as it was entertaining. Every touch was met with anticipation, every run drew admiration from the fans, and every goal seemed to elevate the spectacle further. His impact in Major League Soccer continues to grow, and despite his veteran status, Messi is producing numbers and performances that few can match, even in their prime.

His tally now stands at an astonishing twenty goal involvements thirteen goals and seven assists in just the last eight league matches for Inter Miami. It’s a stretch of form that not only keeps Miami in the playoff conversation but also positions them as genuine contenders for the MLS title. Messi’s arrival elevated the club’s profile globally, but it’s his continued brilliance on the pitch that is translating hype into tangible success.

His current form is even more impressive considering his recent participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, held for the first time in the United States. Inter Miami, representing MLS, faced a tough draw and were eliminated by European giants PSG in the round of 16 at the end of June. Many expected Messi to need rest or time to recharge after the demanding schedule, but the Argentine icon returned to MLS action just a week later, unfazed and seemingly more motivated.

Since then, Messi has featured in five league matches. The only game in which he failed to score or assist was against FC Cincinnati, a rare quiet night by his standards. But any thoughts of a slowdown were swiftly dismissed on Saturday night in New York, where Messi led from the front and orchestrated a comprehensive victory.

The match didn’t start smoothly for Inter Miami. The New York Red Bulls capitalized on a defensive lapse to take the lead just fifteen minutes into the game, raising hopes among the home supporters. But the visitors responded emphatically, and it was Messi who provided the spark. He delivered a sublime through ball to Jordi Alba, his former Barcelona teammate, who had timed his run into the penalty area perfectly. Alba finished coolly to level the score at 1-1, and from that moment on, there was only one team in control.

The Alba-Messi connection proved decisive again as Miami took the lead. Messi, with his trademark composure, lofted a delicate ball over the defense to Alba, who then squared it for Telasco Segovia. The Venezuelan made no mistake, slotting home to make it 2-1. Segovia wasn’t done yet in first-half stoppage time, he found the net again to extend Miami’s advantage to 3-1, effectively taking the game away from the Red Bulls before the break.

After halftime, Messi turned from provider to finisher. Sergio Busquets, another familiar face from his Barcelona days, spotted Messi’s run from deep and sent a precise pass his way. Messi accelerated from the halfway line, slicing through the Red Bulls defense with ease, and then calmly rounded the goalkeeper as if it were a training exercise, scoring Miami’s fourth goal of the night with his usual elegance.

Then came the moment of history. With fifteen minutes left, Messi controlled a cross from the left with his chest, set himself up, and unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner an unstoppable finish that sealed the 5-1 win. But more than just a goal, it was the one that saw him break Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing record for the most non-penalty goals in football history. Ronaldo’s total stood at 763, but Messi now sits atop with 764 and what makes the feat even more remarkable is that Messi reached this number in 167 fewer matches than his Portuguese rival.

This record is yet another testament to Messi’s sustained greatness, his consistency, and his unparalleled ability to redefine football history time and again. While debates about the greatest of all time will continue, records like this only strengthen Messi’s case.

With the victory, Inter Miami remains in fifth place in the MLS standings, but crucially, they have three games in hand on most of their rivals due to their Club World Cup commitments. They trail league leaders FC Cincinnati by just five points, a gap that feels surmountable given Miami’s current momentum and Messi’s form.

Looking ahead, the prospect of Inter Miami mounting a serious challenge for the MLS Cup feels more real than ever. Messi, alongside Alba, Busquets, and an increasingly cohesive squad, has transformed the team from hopefuls to genuine contenders. Fans in Miami and across the United States continue to witness history being made and with Messi still defying age and expectations, it seems there is plenty more to come.