😎 Messi overtakes Cristiano Ronaldo in goals scored excluding penalties

Lionel Messi scored twice in Inter Miami’s 5-1 thrashing of the New York Red Bulls, reaching yet another historic milestone!

With 764 goals scored, the Argentine has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo (763) in goals not counting penalty kicks.

This statistic, released by analysts specializing in performance stats, reinforces the longevity and consistency of the Argentine national team’s number 10, and adds fuel to the fire in the debate over who is better: the hermano or the gajo!

🚨 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗: Leo Messi has now scored 764 non-penalty goals in his career, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo (763) to become the player with the most non-penalty goals in the history of football. pic.twitter.com/MdKjzPeiKp

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 20, 2025

The statistic considers only goals scored in official matches, excluding penalties—a metric often used to assess who is better, since it eliminates the influence of set pieces and highlights a player’s ability to find the net in open play or through technical moves like free kicks.

Messi, currently at Inter Miami, reached this milestone at 37 years old, playing in a less demanding league but still directly involved in virtually every goal for the American team.

Even so, much of his tally was built during his time at Barcelona (2004–2021), where the Argentine shone in a system that favored his movement between the lines and finishing ability.

Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, still holds the advantage in total official goals—with over 880, depending on the source—but he has also played more official matches (about 200 more games than the Argentine).

The Portuguese star, known for his physical power and positioning in the box, has converted over 150 penalties in his career, which has decisively contributed to his overall tally.

Messi’s new lead in non-penalty goals fuels one of the most heated debates in contemporary football: who is the greatest player of the modern era?

Although this number doesn’t settle the discussion, it adds another layer of argument for those who value technique associated with fluid play over composure from the penalty spot.

Beyond the comparison with Ronaldo, Messi’s achievement also stands out when compared to other legendary names. Pelé, Romário, and Josef Bican, for example, have impressive goal numbers, but their tallies often lack international consensus.

From a tactical perspective, the number also reveals Messi’s own evolution: less explosive physically in recent years, he has adapted to deeper roles, such as playmaker or false nine, while maintaining his lethality.

His conversion rate for clear chances remains among the highest in world football, according to data from the Opta platform.

With the recently conquered Copa América and eyes set on preparing for the 2026 World Cup, Messi continues to expand his legacy.

Leading the non-penalty goal rankings may seem like a niche statistic, but for many, it’s yet another proof of the Argentine’s unparalleled talent in open play.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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