Messi is nearing his 900th goal, with 896 goals scored across Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami CF.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the only active player with over 900 career goals, having reached the milestone in September 2024.
Messi's best season was 2011-12, with 82 goals for club and country.
Ronaldo scored twice in a recent Al-Nassr vs. Al-Hazm match, contributing to a 4-0 victory.
Why this matters:: The race between Messi and Ronaldo to reach unprecedented goal-scoring milestones continues to captivate soccer fans worldwide, solidifying their legacies as two of the greatest players of all time.
Lionel Messi, at 38, continues to defy expectations. His journey from a young Barcelona player to a global icon is marked by incredible statistics. He scored 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for PSG, and currently has 81 for Inter Miami, along with 115 for Argentina.
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, also remains a dominant force, recently scoring twice for Al-Nassr in the Saudi League. Al-Nassr won the match 4-0.
While Ronaldo currently leads in total goals, Messi's younger age and continued performance suggest he could potentially surpass Ronaldo if both continue playing at their current levels. Some analysts are already projecting that Messi will pass Ronaldo in total goals scored.
Both players have consistently redefined goal-scoring records, with Messi holding the record for most goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012) and being the fastest to 100 Champions League goals (123 games).
Q: How many goals has Messi scored?
As of February 2026, Lionel Messi has scored 896 goals in his career.
Q: How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored?
As of February 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 962 goals in his career.
Q: When could Messi reach 1000 goals?
If Messi maintains his current scoring rate, he could reach 1000 goals by the end of his contract in 2028.
Lionel Messi is approaching his 900th career goal and has the potential to reach 1000.
The competition between Messi and Ronaldo continues to drive both players to achieve new heights.
Messi's consistency and relatively younger age give him a chance to surpass Ronaldo's goal-scoring record.
Do you think Messi will reach 1000 career goals? Let us know!
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