Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to collect achievements despite their age, proving why they are widely regarded as the greatest players in soccer history. For that reason, the debate over who is truly the best remains alive, and every record makes a difference. In Inter Miamiās recent match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Messi set a milestone that Ronaldo has yet to reach.
In that game against the Galaxy, Messi scored twice and added an assist to Jordi Alba for the opener. With that assist, he reached a remarkable record: Messi is the only player in soccer history to be the all-time leader in both goals and assists for three different teams.
One of those came, of course, during his iconic run with Barcelona. With the Catalans, Messi fully established himself as one of the greatest players of all time, leaving an unmatched legacy in goals and assists. His impact at the club was not only statistical but also transformative, as Barcelona became synonymous with dominance during his era.
Another came with the Argentina national team, where he has been solidified in recent years as one of the greatest ever, reaching the same level of adoration as Diego Maradona. Winning the World Cup and Copa AmƩrica finally gave him the international titles he had long sought. And now, with his most recent performances, he has achieved the same milestone with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, doing so in just two seasons.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF looks on during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF at TQL Stadium on July 16, 2025.
What are the goals and assists behind Messiās record?
Lionel Messiās legacy at Barcelona remains unmatched, as he became the Catalansā all-time leading scorer with 672 goals and 269 assists across all competitions. Beyond the raw numbers, his contributions defined an era of European dominance. From decisive Champions League strikes to perfectly timed passes to AndrĆ©s Iniesta and Xavi, Messi was the centerpiece of nearly every major triumph for Barcelona over two decades.
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With Argentina, Messi has rewritten the nationās history books, scoring 112 goals and adding 58 assists in international play. His assists have been as historic as his goals, such as the one to Ćngel Di MarĆa in the 2021 Copa AmĆ©rica final against Brazil, which ended the nationās long trophy drought. Add to that his goals in the 2022 World Cup, including two in the final against France, and Messi has solidified himself as the driving force of Argentinaās golden era.
In the United States, Messiās impact with Inter Miami has been immediate and transformative. Since his arrival in 2023, he has scored 59 goals and delivered 28 assists, lifting the South Floridians to unprecedented levels of success and visibility in MLS. His ability to dictate games both as a scorer and playmaker has turned Inter Miami into one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the league. Even at this stage of his career, Messi continues to prove he is one of the most influential players the sport has ever seen.
