Lionel Messi has become only the second player in history to reach 900 top-level career goals after scoring in Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC on Wednesday.
The Argentina international scored the landmark goal after just seven minutes at Geodis Park in Tennessee in the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 second leg tie.
The 38-year-old forward has now scored 81 goals in 92 appearances since joining Inter Miami in June 2023, helping the club win the League Cup and MLS Cup.
Messi has also scored for Barcelona, Paris St-Germain and Argentina, winning the Ballon d’Or eight times.
Career timeline
Messi became Barcelona’s youngest scorer at 17 years, 10 months and seven days.
He scored his first senior goal in May 2005 against Albacete, three minutes after coming on for Samuel Eto’o.
He went on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona, winning 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions League titles before leaving in 2021.
At Paris St-Germain, he scored 32 goals in 75 matches across two seasons.
Messi joined Inter Miami after the 2022-23 campaign, following Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar.
He has made 196 appearances for Argentina, scoring 115 goals.
Goals breakdown
According to Opta, Messi has:
Scored 755 goals with his left foot
Scored 111 goals with his right foot
Scored 30 headers and four classified as other
Scored 724 goals inside the box and 176 outside
Scored 112 penalties and 70 free-kicks
He has scored most against Sevilla (25), Athletic Club (24) and Atletico Madrid (23).
900-goal club
Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to reach 900 career goals.
Ronaldo reached the mark in September 2024 and has since extended his tally.
Brazil legend Pelé scored 778 official goals, while Romário recorded 785.
Mascherano speaks
Inter Miami manager, Javier Mascherano, described Messi as “one of a kind”.
“[I am] a privileged spectator, nothing more, nothing less,” said Mascherano.
“I haven’t contributed much to him scoring goals, neither with assists, nor now as a coach.
“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 [900] is insane, and that’s why Leo is one of a kind.”
