Lionel Messi continues to showcase his skill by scoring two goals and providing an assist in a match against Atlanta United. This game took place after he briefly left the Argentina national team to play for Inter Miami. As Messi remains prolific in his scoring, there’s curiosity about how Cristiano Ronaldo is performing in 2025.
With his latest performance, Messi has now scored 12 goals this year across club and international matches, making 2025 one of his most productive years. Notably, he had a remarkable 2012 season with 91 goals and 22 braces, as well as 13 braces in 2010. He is now just one brace away from matching his 2010 total.
Throughout this year, Messi has netted 26 goals in 27 league matches, alongside 18 assists — totaling 44 direct goal contributions. This output is nearly double his appearances, highlighting his exceptional consistency and ongoing excellence. Even now, he competes effectively with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi’s performance has also positioned him favorably in the Golden Boot race. He leads by two goals over LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and is a strong contender to retain his Most Valuable Player title. The assist race is similarly competitive, with Messi excelling in both categories.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami
How many braces does Cristiano Ronaldo have in 2025?
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved seven braces between club and international matches. At 40, the Portuguese forward continues to demonstrate his remarkable scoring abilities.
For his club, Ronaldo has scored six braces for Al Nassr across the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League. This includes a vital two-goal performance in a significant win against rivals Al Hilal, highlighting his scoring reliability.
In addition to his club success, Ronaldo has also recorded one brace for the Portugal national team during an important European World Cup qualifying match against Armenia.
His combined scoring from club and international games places Ronaldo among the top scorers globally in 2025, maintaining the intense rivalry with Messi that has characterized this era.