• Source:JND
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Lionel Messi scripted history as he came up with another incredible performance to help Inter Miami beat the New York Red Bulls 5-1. Messi has surpassed long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most non-penalty goals.

Messi scored two goals and bagged a couple of assists as well. He notched up his 764th non-penalty goal in his illustrious career to surpass the Portuguese talisman Ronaldo’s record of 763 strikes. The Argentine legend has achieved the feat in 167 fewer matches.

Messi has been in a magnificent form lately and the effort against New York Red Bulls was his sixth multi-goal game in his last seven matches. The World Cup winner became the fifth player in MLS history to record at least 35 goals and 25 assists over a two-year span, joining Robbie Keane (2013-14), Sebastian Giovinco (2015-16), Carlos Vela (2018-19), and Cucho Hernández (2023-24).

Miami scored two goals in three minutes midway through the first half against the Red Bulls to take the lead. Messi's incredible pass to former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba tied it at 1-1 in the 24th minute. Then Messi's lofted pass over the defense led to Segovia's first goal. Messi scored on a breakaway in the 60th and he chested down Luis Suárez's pass for a left-footed blast in the 75th to get his 18th goal of the season.

The recent MLS win helped Miami bounce back from a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Cincinnati, in which Messi's run of braces in five-straight game was snipped.

Messi's streak of scoring two goals in a match began with Miami's 4-2 victory over Montreal and continued with his double against Columbus during their 5-1 win. The Inter Miami skipper maintained his form after returning to MLS action following the team's participation in the revamped edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. He scored twice again in Miami's 4-1 victory over Montreal before his performance against New England Revolution, where he found the back of the net twice in a 2-1 win.

Miami (12-4-5) have witnessed a promising form recently and have dominated the past three matchups with the Red Bulls, winning 6-2 on May 3, 2024 and 4-1 on May 3, 2025. On the other hand, New York (9-9-6) lost for just the second time at home this season, dropping to 8-2-2.

With another match-winning performance, Messi has taken his tally to 18 goals this regular season and now the veteran leads the race for the Golden Boot. Meanwhile, the assists was the 10th for Suarez in MLS play in 2025