Messi Scores 900th Career Goal: Joins Ronaldo in Elite Club

Lionel Messi scored his 900th career goal Wednesday night, becoming only the second player in men’s elite football history to reach the milestone. The Inter Miami forward achieved the feat with a seventh-minute strike in a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 tie. Despite Messi’s landmark goal, Inter Miami were eliminated from the tournament on away goals after a scoreless first leg. The goal, scored with his signature left foot, came after 21 years since Messi’s first senior goal for Barcelona in 2005. Messi now has 900 goals in 1,142 appearances, excluding friendlies, according to sources. Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano lauded the achievement, stating, “I’ve been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he’s scored, much closer than you all, and that’s a privilege. The number we’re talking about is insane, and that’s why Leo is a one of a kind.” Cristiano Ronaldo remains the all-time leading goalscorer with 965 goals in 1,312 appearances, having reached 900 goals in September 2024. Ronaldo achieved the milestone at age 39, approximately five months before Messi turned 38. Messi’s 407 assists compare to Ronaldo’s 261, giving Messi a higher total of goal contributions. Messi’s goal tally breaks down to 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain, 115 for Argentina – including a pivotal role in their 2022 World Cup victory – and 81 for Inter Miami. He has scored 129 goals in the Champions League, second only to Ronaldo’s 140. A significant portion of Messi’s goals, 175, have come in knockout matches, including 35 in finals, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. The match against Nashville ended in a 1-1 draw after Alex Muyl’s shot was blocked but rebounded to Cristian Espinoza, who scored for Nashville. Inter Miami’s exit from the Champions Cup leaves their focus on the upcoming Major League Soccer season, where Messi will look to build on his stellar 2025 campaign, which saw him win his second consecutive MLS MVP Award and his first MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 20 assists.