Messi scored 25 goals and 11 assists to top FIFA s historical scorer: 37 years old and 360 days to create another green miracle!

On June 20, 2025, at the Yongming Stadium in Miami, USA, Messi, who was 37 years old and 360 days, took the free kick and went straight to the dead corner, helping Miami International reverse Porto 2-1. This seemingly easy goal made FIFA's official certified title of "FIFA's historical scorer king" deserved - 25 goals and 11 assists, spanning the three major stages of the World Cup, World Youth Championship and Club World Cup. Messi has written the longest legend of the scorer in football history with his 20 years of career.

From the wind-chasing boy in Buenos Aires to the evergreens of the 2005 Dutch World Youth Championship, 18-year-old Messi completed his final victory at the Rotterdam Stadium. That goal that passed the goalkeeper and pushed the empty goal made the world remember this thin Argentine boy. With 6 goals and 2 assists in 7 games, he not only won the Golden Boot Award, but also landed at Camp Nou with the halo of "New Maradona".

17 years later, the 35-year-old Messi led the team to win the World Cup in Qatar. Although he only contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in the final (a regular penalty kick and a follow-up shot in stoppage time), his dominant performance of 7 goals and 3 assists in 7 games is enough to be a god. When the final whistle sounded, his kneeling and crying figure overlapped with the young boy at the age of 18, completing the transformation from a wind-chasing boy to a king of football.

Technical innovation: The evolution code of the free kick master

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Of Messi's 25 international goals, 36% were scored from free kicks (9 goals), which was verified again in the Club World Cup match against Porto on June 20, 2025. Messi's free kick was completed with the inner instep of his left foot - this is his unique skill after 20 years of polishing: when running assist, his left foot gently taps the ground to adjust the center of gravity, and the amplitude of the swing leg is controlled within 110 degrees. The instep is straightened when touching the ball, and the ball draws a 10.2-meter arc and hangs straight at the dead corner. This technology is improved by his accumulation of 500 shooting training every day.

What is even more amazing is his omnipotent attribute. Behind the 25 goals are 11 assists, 7 of which appear in the World Cup knockout round (2014 vs. Belgium, 2022 vs. Croatia and other games). In the 2022 Qatar final against France, Messi observed Griezmann's forward insertion in the 68th minute, and assisted Di Maria with a scalpel to secure the victory. This pass was 108 kilometers per hour and had an error range of only 0.3 meters. It was called "textbook-level space deconstruction" by Milan Sports Daily. Messi, 37, can still contribute three key passes in a single game (2025 Club World Cup vs. Porto), and his pass success rate is as high as 93%, far exceeding the average level of players in the same position.

Controversy and Breakthrough: Redefining the Standard for Scorer King

Although FIFA officially certified the achievements of 25 goals and 11 assists, there are three key controversial points in the discussion of "gold content":

Meeting weight controversy: Some people believe that the competitive level of the Club World Cup (including the North American League Cup) is lower than that of the World Cup, but of Messi's 6 goals in the Club World Cup, 5 goals came from the knockout stage (2009 semi-finals, 2011 finals, and 2025 semi-finals), and their opponents are top European/South America clubs

Data transparency difference: Unlike the vague statistical standards of the Pele era, Messi's 25 goals came from FIFA certified A-level event matches (including the World Cup, World Youth Championship, and Club World Cup), while Ronaldo's 23 goals include 3 goals in the teaching match (2011 vs. Manchester United, 2014 vs. Corinthian, etc.)

Age and efficiency paradox: Messi still maintains the efficiency of participating in 1 goal every 87 minutes after the age of 35 (2022-2025), which exceeds his career average (1 goal every 105 minutes)

The legend that never ends: The 39-year-old "The Last Dance"

Stand before the threshold of the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup, Messi's contract with Miami International has entered its last year. Despite rumors that he may retire, the 39-year-old Argentinian still has the efficiency of participating in goals every 1.09 times per 90 minutes (2025 season data), proving that the age boundaries of professional football are being rewritten.

For Miami International, Messi's joining brought about a disruptive change:

Offensive system reconstruction: The team's average positive shots per game increased from 3.2 to 5.1 in the 2025 season, and Messi contributed 38% of the team's key passes.

Psychological Leadership: Through customized training (such as ice water recovery method three times a week) and tactical guidance, he helped Suarez, 35 years old, maintain an average of 0.6 goals per game. From street football in La Plata to Miami's Sunshine Coast, Messi's story has long gone beyond sports. He spent 20 years proving that the real superstar is not a wizard from the sky, but a persistent who runs 0.01 seconds more on every ordinary training day. When asked about his retirement plan, he pointed to the youth training camp on the training ground and said: "When these kids no longer need my goal motivation, it is the time for me to leave."

Looking back at the milestone of 25 goals and 11 assists, it is not only the accumulation of numbers, but also the return to the essence of football - the wisdom in the reverse foot arc, the heartbeat in stoppage time, and the leadership temperament that leads the team through the storm, together constitute the most precious sports heritage of this era.

Football is not a one-person battle, but someone always needs to take that step first.