Lionel Messi scored his 901st career goal as Inter Miami came from behind to beat New York City FC 3-2 in an entertaining MLS game on Sunday.
Miami bounced back from a disappointing exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier in the week to secure a crucial win as Micael Dos Santos headed home the winner in the 74th minute.
Messi’s breakthrough goal came at a crucial moment in the second half. Down 2-1 in Miami, the Argentine’s free-kick deflected off Hannes Wolf and found its way past goalkeeper Matt Freese to tie the score at 2 in the 61st minute.
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Inter Miami took the lead earlier through Gonzalo Lujan, who scored his first MLS goal in the fourth minute. However, NYCFC responded quickly, Nicolas Fernandez Mercau equalizing with a smart free kick in the 17th minute.
The visitors then went ahead in the 59th minute when Maxi Moralez threaded a superb through ball past Agustin Ojeda who calmly finished past Dayne St. Clair.
But Miami responded almost immediately. Messi’s equalizer turned the tide before Dos Santos completed the turnaround in the 74th minute with a well-taken header from Noah Allen’s cross.
Messi came close to adding more on numerous occasions, hitting the post in the 31st minute and the crossbar in the 42nd minute, while also missing a late chance to extend Miami’s lead.
Germany’s Berterame thought he had sealed the win in the 79th minute but his effort was ruled out for offside.
NYCFC pushed hard for a late equalizer but St. Clair made a crucial save in stoppage time to preserve the victory.
The win moves Inter Miami to 10 points from five games level with NYCFC, who suffered their first defeat of the season after a three-game winning streak.
PLAYERS WITH THE MOST CAREER GOALS IN SOCCER
While records from the early 20th century remain somewhat obscure due to poor documentation, it is widely accepted that Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the most career goals in football history, with 965 to date. However, Pelo loyalists dispute this claim and claim that the Brazilian great could have surpassed the 1,000 goal mark.
According to modern estimates, Ronaldo leads the list with 965 goals, followed by Lionel Messi, who has 901 career goals.
Here is the list:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: 965 and counting
2. Lionel Messi: 901 and counting
3. Previously: 762 goals
4. Romario: 756 goals
5. Ferenc Puskas: 725 goals
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
March 23, 2026 09:04 IST
