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Messi reaches historic 900-goal milestone
Lionel Messi became the second male footballer to score 900 top-level career goals after netting for Inter Miami in their Concacaf Champions Cup match against Nashville SC on Wednesday.
The Argentine forward, 38, struck after just seven minutes at Geodis Park in Tennessee, adding to his tally of 81 goals in 92 appearances for the MLS side since joining in June 2023.
Career spanning clubs and country
Messi's journey to 900 goals began in 2005 when he became Barcelona's youngest-ever scorer at 17 years and 10 months. Over 17 years at the Catalan club, he amassed 672 goals in 778 appearances, securing 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, and four Champions League titles.
After a two-season stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 32 goals in 75 matches, Messi moved to Inter Miami. His arrival helped the club win the League Cup and MLS Cup in his debut season.
International dominance and records
For Argentina, Messi has scored 115 goals in 196 appearances, including leading his country to victory in the 2022 World Cup. His goal-scoring prowess extends across all competitions, with 755 goals scored with his left foot, 111 with his right, and 30 headers.
Messi holds the record for the most goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012) and the fastest player to reach 100 Champions League goals (123 appearances).
Rivalry with Ronaldo and legendary peers
Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male players to reach 900 career goals. Ronaldo, now at 959 goals, achieved the milestone in September 2024. The pair have won the Ballon d'Or a combined 13 times.
Other legends like Pelé (778 official goals) and Romário (785) trail behind, though Pelé's claim of over 1,000 goals was disputed by statisticians.
Mascherano hails Messi's uniqueness
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona and Argentina, described him as "one of a kind."
"I've been lucky enough to see most of his goals up close, and that's a privilege. The number we're talking about [900] is insane, and that's why Leo is one of a kind."
Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami manager
Mascherano, who joined Inter Miami as manager in November 2024, added that he has contributed little to Messi's goal tally, calling himself a "privileged spectator."
