FIFA Club World Cup: Lionel Messi Scripts History, Breaks World Record To Achieve Monumental Feat

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Lionel Messi finally got his name into the scoring sheets at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, delivering a moment of magic to hand Inter Miami a thrilling 2-1 victory over Porto on Thursday.

The 37-year-old Argentine maestro struck a trademark free-kick in the 54th minute, curling the ball over the wall and into the top-right corner of the keeper's side after being brought down just outside the box by Rodrigo Mora.

The crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted as Messi's sublime strike secured the win-and history. With that goal, Messi became the top scorer in all FIFA-sanctioned tournaments, surpassing Brazilian icon Marta's long-standing record of 24 goals. He now sits at an unmatched total of 25 goals, accumulated over 10 different FIFA competitions across two decades.

Messi's FIFA journey began in 2005, where he netted six goals in the U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands-the only youth FIFA event he participated in. Since then, his scoring legacy has spanned senior World Cups and international tournaments.

Earlier in the match, Porto had taken the lead through a penalty converted by Samu Aghehowa in the eighth minute. But Inter Miami responded right after halftime, with Telasco Segovia finding the back of the net in the 47th minute after finishing off a precise cross from Marcelo Weigandt.

Just seven minutes later, Messi stepped up and delivered the winner-further highlighting his continued brilliance, even as he nears his 38th birthday. Despite Inter Miami's slow start to the Club World Cup campaign, having drawn 0-0 with Al Ahly in their opener, Messi has maintained red-hot form throughout the season. In Major League Soccer, he has tallied 10 goals and six assists in just 12 appearances.

As fans clad in pink No. 10 jerseys celebrated from the stands, it was yet another reminder that Messi's influence on the game remains as electrifying as ever.