Lionel Messi continues to dominate the scoring charts in the United States, with 24 goals in the current season for Inter Miami. However, hot on his heels is fellow Argentine Facundo Callejo, who is making waves in Peru’s top division with Cusco FC. Callejo, a former Colón de Santa Fe striker, has racked up 18 goals so far, firmly establishing himself as one of the most lethal forwards in South American football this year.
The story took a playful twist when Cusco FC posted on social media that Callejo had scored 17 goals. The 29-year-old forward wasted no time in responding, publicly correcting his own club: “It’s 18 for me…” he wrote, leaving no doubt about his tally. But it didn’t end there.
Callejo followed up with a lighthearted warning aimed at Messi himself: “Careful, Lio… don’t relax.” The comment quickly spread across social networks, sparking thousands of reactions and plenty of good-natured banter among fans.
A childhood dream fulfilled
For Callejo, this season has been about more than just statistics. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), he reflected on how far he’s come: “Once, Santa Claus brought me this gift, back in 2020. Sometimes it takes a while to come true, but sooner or later it happens. Thank you, my friend Leandro Martín!”
The message referred to a special moment in his career when he first received the jersey of a dream club, something that planted the seed for the prolific run he’s enjoying now.
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The Argentine striker’s journey hasn’t always been straightforward, but 2025 has seen him reach a peak in form. From crucial match-winning goals to consistent performances, Callejo has been instrumental in keeping Cusco FC competitive in the Peruvian league.
The race for the golden boot
While Messi remains the clear leader in goals, Callejo’s surge adds intrigue to the season’s scoring race. Messi’s 24 goals and Callejo’s 18 mean both are in contention for their respective league Golden Boots, though in very different contexts—Messi in the MLS, Callejo in Liga 1 Peru.
Whether Callejo can actually catch Messi in total goals remains to be seen, but the friendly challenge between the two Argentines has captured the imagination of fans across both continents.
