Lionel Messi once again etched his name deeper into football history, breaking two of Cristiano Ronaldo’s most iconic scoring records during a painful 1-4 defeat suffered by Inter Miami at the hands of Minnesota United in Major League Soccer (MLS). Despite the lopsided scoreline and the evident struggles of Javier Mascherano’s team, Messi’s individual brilliance stood out as he continued to redefine what it means to be a legend of the game.

On the morning of May 11th, Inter Miami visited Minnesota United in a highly anticipated MLS clash. What many expected to be a balanced encounter quickly turned into a nightmare for the visiting side. Inter Miami were completely outplayed and eventually succumbed to a humiliating 1-4 loss. While fans were left disheartened by the team’s performance, Messi gave them at least one moment of pride by scoring the only goal for his team—a goal that would prove to be historic in more ways than one.

With this goal, Lionel Messi reached the incredible milestone of 860 career goals across both club and country, a feat that not only places him among the greatest footballers of all time but also positions him ahead of his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in key statistical categories. What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the fact that Messi became the youngest player ever to reach 860 goals, doing so at the age of 37 years and 320 days. By comparison, Ronaldo had reached the same milestone at 38 years and 259 days, meaning Messi beat him to it by nearly a full year.

Even more impressively, Messi reached 860 career goals in just 1,098 matches, which also sets a new record for the fewest number of games required to hit that mark. The previous record was held by Ronaldo, who took 1,189 games to score his 860th goal. This means that Messi not only reached the same goalscoring figure earlier in life but also in 91 fewer matches, highlighting his consistent dominance and efficiency over a sustained period.

But the statistical marvels did not stop there. Messi, who continues to be the heartbeat of every team he represents, further extended his record as the player with the most combined goals and assists in football history, bringing the total up to an astonishing 1,241. This tally serves as a testament to Messi’s dual-threat capability—not just as a goal-scorer but also as a world-class playmaker. He has the rare ability to influence the game from any position in the attacking third, be it with a killer pass or a sublime finish.

This season alone, despite playing in a league far removed from the European spotlight, Messi has been exceptional. In 15 matches across all competitions, the Argentine maestro has scored 10 goals and delivered 3 assists, continuing to carry the attacking burden of Inter Miami almost single-handedly. His ability to perform at such a high level, even as he approaches 38, speaks volumes about his professionalism, work ethic, and sheer talent.

However, Messi’s historic moment comes in the backdrop of a worrying trend for Inter Miami. The team, under the management of former Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano, has been inconsistent and prone to defensive lapses. The 1-4 thrashing against Minnesota United is one of the most sobering results of the season and highlights just how much work needs to be done if Inter Miami hopes to become a serious contender in MLS.

Despite the poor team performance, Messi’s post-match remarks drew attention across the footballing world. When asked by reporters, “Who is the true G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time) in football?”, Messi responded with humility, “Records are made to be broken. What matters most is giving joy to the fans and doing what I love.” The statement, modest and thoughtful, went viral instantly—fueling yet another round of debate between Messi and Ronaldo fans across the globe.

Meanwhile, club president David Beckham and MLS executives are said to be preparing a grand tribute to honor Messi’s latest achievements. Sources suggest there may be a special ceremony held during an upcoming home game, where Messi will be presented with a commemorative award recognizing his unmatched contributions to the sport.

In a world obsessed with stats, Messi continues to be the embodiment of numbers meeting artistry. Whether it’s goals, assists, or moments of magic that defy logic, Lionel Messi keeps proving that age is just a number, and greatness is timeless.

As the MLS season continues, all eyes will remain firmly on Inter Miami’s number 10. Whether or not his team can bounce back from this defeat, one thing is clear: Lionel Messi’s legend continues to grow, game after game, record after record.