Lionel Messi and Callejo Light Up Golden Boot Race

Lionel Messi leads the MLS scoring chart with 24 goals for Inter Miami, while fellow Argentine Facundo Callejo has netted 18 for Cusco FC in Peru. Callejo playfully warned Messi, sparking fan banter. Both are chasing Golden Boot honors in their respective leagues this season.

When the 2025 football season entered its decisive stages, Lionel Messi and Facundo Callejo emerged as two prolific Argentine scorers lighting up different leagues. Messi has been in dominant form for Inter Miami in the MLS, netting 24 goals to lead the scoring charts. Meanwhile, Callejo, playing for Cusco FC in Peru’s top division, has struck 18 times, establishing himself as one of South America’s most clinical forwards this year.

The friendly rivalry gained attention after Cusco FC posted that Callejo had 17 goals, prompting the striker to publicly correct them, declaring it was 18 and he then sent a playful warning to Messi: “Careful, Lio… don’t relax.” The banter quickly went viral, sparking excitement among fans across continents. For Callejo, this season represents a dream realised, tracing back to 2020 when he received a cherished jersey that inspired his journey.

His consistent match-winning performances have been vital in keeping Cusco FC competitive. While Messi remains the frontrunner for the MLS Golden Boot and Callejo leads the race in Peru’s Liga 1, their shared pursuit of goals has created a lighthearted cross-league connection. Whether Callejo can match Messi’s total remains uncertain, but the duel has added an extra layer of intrigue to both campaigns.