Lionel Messi scripts history on same night Cristiano Ronaldo goes viral with age-defying bicycle kick goal

Lionel Messi scripts history (AP Photo)

On a night when Cristiano Ronaldo left most stunned with his age defying bicycle kick goal, his biggest contemporary Lionel Messi scripted a brand new record. The Argentine, who plays for Inter Miami, scored once and provided three assists in the team's 4-0 win over FC Cincinnati on Sunday. The outcome saw Miami advance to its first Eastern Conference final and they will now host New York City FC on Saturday. The winner will advance to the MLS Cup scheduled for December 6.

The feat saw Messi become the first player in the history of the sport to notch 1300 goal contributions (896 goals and 404 assists). If we compare it with Ronaldo, the Portuguese has 1213 goal contribution, while his stunning goal that has gone viral on social media was 954th of his career.

Messi took 1135 matches to complete the milestone as he averages 1.145 goal contributions per match. Meanwhile, Messi also set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists).

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Messi had been scoreless in three matches against Cincinnati, but that streak ended in the 19th minute on Sunday when he headed a short cross from Mateo Silvetti, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. This was Messi's 11th goal in the last seven games. The World Cup winner could have completed a brace as nine minutes after scoring, he found himself alone with the goalkeeper, but his shot towards the far post sailed wide.

Ronaldo's stunner, on the other hand, came in Al-Nassr's 4-1 win against Al Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo scored deep into stoppage time (90' + 6') when he met a cross from the right wing with an acrobatic volley that was too fierce for the goalkeeper to keep out. The goal served an instant reminder of the classic he scored against Juventus while playing for Real Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

-with AP inputs