Lionel Messi hit a huge milestone, but it came on a tough night for his team.
Messi scored the 900th goal of his career during Concacaf Champions Cup action as Inter Miami CF drew 1-1 with Nashville SC in the second leg. It was a quick start, as Messi found the net within the first 10 minutes after cutting inside and finishing calmly.
But the bigger story was the result. The first leg had ended 0-0, so Nashville went through on away goals after Cristian Espinoza scored in the second half to level the match. Miami pushed late but couldn’t get the goal they needed, which meant their run in the tournament ended there.
After the game, coach Javier Mascherano said the team was very disappointed. He felt they had chances to score more, especially earlier in the match, but things didn’t go their way. He also took responsibility for the exit, saying the players gave everything.
Even in defeat, Messi’s goal made history. He became only the second men’s player ever to reach 900 official goals, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, who reached that mark in 2024 and now sits ahead with 965 goals.
Looking at the numbers, Messi reached 900 in 1,142 games, while Ronaldo needed 1,236. Pelé is third on the all-time list with 765 goals. Among current players, Robert Lewandowski is still far behind them. His best year came in 2012, when he scored 91 goals in one calendar year, which is still a record.
Lionel Messi Reaches 900 Goals at 38: Numbers Behind Milestone
Lionel Messi reached 900 career goals in a match against Nashville SC, scoring just 7 minutes into the game. It happened in the Concacaf Champions Cup, showing he still delivers even at 38.
He is only the second player to hit this number, after Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has built this total across club and international football over many years.
His first goal for FC Barcelona came in 2005 when he was just 17. From there, he scored 672 goals in 778 games for the club. He won major trophies like La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
Later, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 32 goals in 75 matches. He played alongside Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe.
Now at Inter Miami CF, he has scored 81 goals in 92 games since joining in 2023. He helped the team win trophies like the Leagues Cup.
For Argentina national team, he has played 196 matches and scored 115 goals, including leading them to win the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Most of his goals come from his left foot, with 755. He has also scored 111 with his right foot, 30 with headers, and a few in other ways. Most goals (724) came from inside the box, while 176 were from outside. He has scored 112 penalties and 70 free-kicks.
Some teams he has scored the most against include Sevilla (25), Athletic Club (24), Atletico Madrid (23), Valencia (18), Real Madrid (17), and Levante (16).
Inter Miami CF Out of Concacaf Champions Cup as Nashville SC Advance
Inter Miami CF are eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup.
They drew 1-1 with Nashville SC in the second leg, but that result sent Nashville through on the away goals rule after the first leg had ended 0-0.
The game started well for Miami. Lionel Messi scored in the 7th minute with a left-foot finish, which also marked his 900th career goal. Miami led going into halftime.
In the second half, Nashville kept pushing. They had a few chances before finally scoring in the 73rd minute through Cristian Espinoza, who finished after a rebound inside the box.
With the score tied on aggregate, that away goal made the difference. Miami couldn’t find another goal late on, so their run ended in the Round of 16.
Nashville now move on to the quarterfinals and will face the winner of the tie between Club América and Philadelphia Union.
FAQs
Q. Why was Inter Miami knocked out of the tournament?
A. Nashville went through on away goals after the first leg ended 0-0.
Q. Who scored for Nashville in the second half?
A. Cristian Espinoza scored to make it 1-1.
Q. How does Messi compare to Cristiano Ronaldo in goals?
A. Messi reached 900 goals, while Ronaldo has more with 965 goals.
Get the Latest UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, La Liga, Saudi Pro League, and MLS at IceCric.News and Follow for Live Updates – Facebook & Instagram.
