Messi’s Milestone: The Race to 900 Goals and Beyond
Lionel Messi stands on the cusp of yet another historic achievement: his 900th career goal. Currently at 896 goals across his time with Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is poised to reach this landmark quickly. His most recent contribution came in Inter Miami’s MLS Cup triumph over the Vancouver Whitecaps on December 5.
The Pursuit of 1,000: Messi vs. Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo currently leads the way among active players with over 900 professional goals, having reached the milestone in September 2024. Robert Lewandowski, with 690 goals, is the next closest active player, highlighting the exceptional scoring feats of both Messi and Ronaldo. The question now is whether Messi can surpass Ronaldo and potentially reach 1,000 goals himself.
A Historical Journey: From Barcelona to Miami
Messi’s journey began in May 2005, scoring his first professional goal for Barcelona against Albacete. Since then, he has consistently found the back of the net, becoming Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 games. His career tally includes 32 goals in 75 games for Paris Saint-Germain and 77 goals in 88 games for Inter Miami as of December 2025.
On the international stage, Messi has 115 goals in 196 games for Argentina, including crucial goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final victory over France.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Goals by Club and Season
The majority of Messi’s goals have come during his time with Barcelona, accounting for 75% of his career total. He has consistently scored over 30 goals per season for 13 consecutive campaigns, peaking with a remarkable 82 goals in 2011-12.
Even after leaving Barcelona, Messi continued to find the net, winning titles with PSG and Inter Miami. He became Inter Miami’s all-time leading scorer in 2024 and secured the MLS Golden Boot in 2025 with 29 goals in 28 games.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Messi holds numerous records, including being the fastest player to 100 Champions League goals (123 games) and the youngest player to reach that milestone (30 years and 263 days). He also holds the world record for most goals scored in a single calendar year, with 91 goals in 69 games in 2012.
The Path to 1,000: What’s Next?
With a contract with Inter Miami extending through the 2028 MLS season, Messi has the opportunity to continue adding to his tally. Averaging 36 goals per season since joining MLS, he could potentially reach 1,000 career goals before the complete of the 2028 season.
Ronaldo, currently at 962 goals, is also aiming for the 1,000-goal mark. Given Messi’s younger age (38 versus Ronaldo’s 41 as of February 5, 2026), there’s a possibility he could surpass his long-time rival.
FAQ
Q: How many goals does Lionel Messi have as of February 20, 2026?
A: 896 goals in 1,137 games.
Q: How many goals does Cristiano Ronaldo have?
A: Over 900 goals as of February 20, 2026.
Q: What teams has Messi scored for?
A: Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami.
Q: What was Messi’s first professional goal?
A: He scored against Albacete while playing for Barcelona in May 2005.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Messi’s performances in the upcoming MLS season and with Argentina. His goal-scoring rate will be key to determining whether he can reach 1,000 goals and potentially surpass Ronaldo.
What do you think? Will Messi reach 1,000 goals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
