Lionel Messi has once again rewritten football history. On a landmark night in Major League Soccer (MLS), the Inter Miami captain produced a masterclass that not only carried his team to the Eastern Conference Final, but also sealed his status as the first player ever to record 1300 goal contributions in official football history—surpassing long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo. With this, Messi also shattered a 25-year-old MLS playoff record, proving yet again why he remains one of the greatest players the sport has ever witnessed.

At 38 years old, Messi’s dominance shows no signs of slowing down. His extraordinary performance at the TQL Stadium, where Inter Miami demolished Cincinnati FC 4–0 on November 23, 2025, will be remembered as one of the defining moments of his American football journey.

Messi Shines as Inter Miami Storms Into Eastern Conference Final

Inter Miami entered the MLS Eastern Conference semi-final under immense pressure, with Cincinnati FC considered one of the toughest home teams in the league. But Messi ensured the night belonged to Miami from the very beginning.

He opened the scoring in the 19th minute, displaying his trademark composure and precision. Miami went into halftime with a 1–0 advantage, but the show had only just begun.

In the second half, Messi turned into a playmaking maestro. He delivered not one, not two, but three assists, orchestrating Miami’s attacking brilliance:

• 57’ — Mateo Silvetti converted Messi’s pinpoint pass


• 62’ — Tadeo Allende netted his first


• 74’ — Tadeo Allende completed his brace with another Messi-crafted goal

With Messi contributing to all four goals, Inter Miami cruised to a dominant 4–0 victory. They now prepare to face New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Final, with expectations soaring as Messi continues his unstoppable form.

Messi Becomes First Player Ever With 1300 Goal Contributions

The most historic moment of the night came with Messi’s updated career tally:

896 goals + 404 assists = 1300 official goal contributions

This makes Lionel Messi the first footballer in history to reach this milestone in fully recorded professional matches. Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other player with more than 1000 contributions, but Messi has officially surpassed him in both playmaking and total contributions.

Career Goal Contributions Breakdown

• Barcelona: 941


• Argentina: 117


• PSG: 66


• Inter Miami: 117 (and counting)

Messi reached 1300 contributions in 1135 matches, giving him one of the highest efficiency rates in world football. His contributions come on average every 104 minutes, compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 111 minutes.

Most Goal Contributions in Football History

This record is the latest chapter in the legendary Messi–Ronaldo rivalry—but as of now, Messi stands alone at the top.

Messi Breaks 25-Year-Old MLS Playoff Record

As if surpassing Ronaldo wasn’t enough, Messi also shattered one of MLS’s longest-standing records.

He now holds the record for the most goal contributions in a single MLS playoff season with 12 contributions (6 goals + 6 assists).

This breaks the record set by Ante Razov in 2000, who had 10 contributions. For nearly 25 years, no player had matched or surpassed Razov’s tally—until Messi arrived.

Most Goal Contributions in a Single MLS Playoff Season

Messi is now the only player ever to have 10+ playoff goal contributions in a single season, cementing his place in MLS history.

Messi Sets New Record for Most Goal Contributions in an MLS Season

Beyond the playoffs, Messi has also broken the record for the most goal contributions in a full MLS season, combining both the regular season and playoffs.

Messi’s 2025 MLS Season

• 35 goals


• 25 assists


• 60 total goal contribution

This overtakes the previous record held by Carlos Vela, who had 51 contributions in 2019 (36 goals, 15 assists). Messi’s total of 60 marks the greatest individual season in MLS history.

His impact has elevated Inter Miami from an emerging project to a dominant force in the league, with fans across the world tuning in to witness Messi’s weekly brilliance.

A Historic Season That Isn’t Finished Yet

What makes Messi’s achievements even more impressive is that Inter Miami are still in contention for the MLS Cup. With a place in the Eastern Conference Final secured, Messi has the chance to extend these records even further.

If Miami reaches—and wins—the MLS Cup Final, Messi could complete one of the most statistically incredible seasons ever recorded in professional football, not just MLS.

Messi vs Ronaldo: A Rivalry Rewritten

For nearly two decades, football fans around the world have debated the greatness of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their rivalry defined a generation, breaking record after record and raising the standards of football excellence.

But with Messi becoming the first player ever to reach 1300 goal contributions, and with his continuous success in yet another league, the numbers begin to tilt the debate heavily in his favour.

Messi’s superiority in:

• playmaking


• goal efficiency


• trophy success


• international achievements


• longevity at the top level

Conclusion: Messi’s Legacy Continues to Grow

Lionel Messi’s 2025 season for Inter Miami is nothing short of historic. From breaking Ronaldo’s record to setting new MLS standards that may last for decades, Messi has shown that age is just a number and greatness is timeless.

As Inter Miami march toward a potential MLS Cup victory, the world continues to watch in awe. For football fans, journalists, analysts, and historians, this season will be remembered as one of Messi’s most extraordinary chapters.

And as always—when the world doubted, Messi delivered.