Lionel Messi Fails To Break World Record; Cristiano Ronaldo Remains Only Player In History With Unique Feat

June 30,2025
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Lionel Messi failed to match Cristiano Ronaldo's world record by one goal

Photo : AP
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Lionel Messi's FIFA Club World Cup campaign ended
  • Inter Miami lost to PSG 4-0
  • Messi has won the Club World Cup thrice in his career
Lionel Messi's campaign in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ended on Sunday (June 29) after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Inter Miami 4-0 in the Round of 16 stage with two goals from Joao Neves, an own goal, and a strike from Achraf Hakimi.
While Messi showed his class in the second half after Miami were outplayed in the first half, that saw all four goals were scored. Despite Messi creating a big chance as well as having two shots on goal, the American club failed to score and ended their campaign without scoring a goal, and Messi most likely played his final game in the competition without getting a goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo's World Record Saved

With Miami ending the game without a goal, Cristiano Ronaldo was able to retain his long-standing world record. The Portugese has seven goals to his name in the competition's history despite not being part of the 2024 edition and never playing in the new format. While four players have scored six goals in Club World Cup history, Ronaldo is the only player in history with seven.
Ronaldo played in the tournament four times, with an appearance for Manchester United in 2008 and also playing for Real Madrid in 2014, 2016, and 2017. He scored one goal in 2008 while getting four in 2016, including a hat-trick in the final. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored twice in 2017, too.
Both Messi and Miami forward Luis Suarez have scored six goals in the competition and missed the chance to equal Ronaldo. With the tournament now a quadrennial event and not annual, both players are unlikely to feature again in this competition and get the chance to go past Ronaldo's tally.
Most Goals In FIFA Club World Cup History
Player Goal Scored Club Played For In FIFA Club World Cup Years Played
Cristiano Ronaldo 7 Manchester United, Real Madrid 2008, 2014,2016,2017
Karim Benzema 6 Real Madrid, Al Ittihad 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023
Gareth Bale 6 Real Madrid 2014, 2017, 2018
Luis Suarez 6 Barcelona, Inter Miami 2015,2025
Lionel Messi 6 Barcelona Inter Miami 2009, 2011, 2015, 2025
Messi played for Barcelona in their Club World Cup triumphs in 2009, 2011, and 2015 and scored in all three editions. He also scored one goal for Inter Miami in the ongoing edition, which came during Inter Miami's historic win against FC Porto with a stunning free-kick. The victory was a significant one as it marked the first instance of an American team beating a European club in an official match.
As far as Suarez is concerned, he scored five goals in the 2015 edition, which is still the record for the goals in a single edition of the tournament. The Uruguayan scored a hat-trick in the semi-final and a brace in the final.
Ronaldo is the only player to score a hat-trick in the summit clash of the tournament, with a treble in the 2016 final for Real Madrid against Japanese outfit Kashima Antlers.