Messi reaches 900 career goals, joins Ronaldo in elite club

The 38-year-old World Cup-winning Argentine brought up the landmark with a left-footed strike.

Lionel Messi reached another historic milestone, scoring the 900th goal of his illustrious career to become just the second player in elite men’s football to achieve the feat after Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 38-year-old World Cup-winning Argentine brought up the landmark with a left-footed strike during Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Messi’s 900th goal came 21 years after his first senior strike for FC Barcelona as a 17-year-old in 2005.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano described the achievement as “insane,” praising Messi’s unmatched brilliance and calling him “one of a kind.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner reached the milestone in 1,142 appearances for club and country nearly 100 games fewer than Ronaldo, who achieved the same mark in 1,236 matches in September 2024. Ronaldo has since extended his tally to 965 goals and is aiming to become the first player to reach 1,000.

Most of Messi’s goals came during his legendary spell at Barcelona (672), along with 32 for Paris Saint Germain, 81 for Inter Miami, and 115 for Argentina national football team, with whom he won the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Renowned for delivering in crucial moments, Messi has scored 175 goals in knockout matches, including 35 in finals. His 129 goals in the UEFA Champions League place him second only to Ronaldo’s 140.

Despite the milestone, it was a bittersweet night for Inter Miami, who were eliminated from the competition on away goals after their first-leg clash ended goalless.