Messi Scores 899th Career Goal: Chasing Ronaldo’s 1000-Goal Milestone | Inter Miami News
MIAMI, FL – Lionel Messi continued his remarkable scoring run, netting his 899th career goal as Inter Miami defeated D.C. United 2-1 on Saturday, . The victory, played before a record crowd of over 72,000 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, further solidifies Inter Miami’s position as a force in Major League Soccer and fuels the ongoing debate about Messi’s place among the all-time greats.
Messi’s goal, a delicate chip shot in the 27th minute following a feed from Mateo Silvetti, doubled Inter Miami’s lead after an earlier strike. It marked his third goal of the current MLS season and his 80th since joining the club in the summer of 2023. The milestone brings the Argentine superstar tantalizingly close to the 900-goal plateau, a feat only surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently boasts 965 career goals.
While Ronaldo has openly expressed his ambition to reach 1,000 goals before retirement, Messi has remained more reserved about such targets. However, given his continued form and Inter Miami’s trajectory, the possibility of him achieving the milestone is highly real. Messi is currently under contract with Inter Miami through the complete of , and is expected to participate in the FIFA World Cup. Assuming a consistent schedule of approximately 40 matches per year, he could conceivably add over 100 goals to his tally before his current contract expires.
The atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium was electric, with a crowd of 72,026 setting a new club record for attendance. Inter Miami Head Coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the impact of Messi’s presence on the growing popularity of the sport in the United States, stating, “This is a very demanding club. We’re a team that demands a lot of ourselves. And that’s why the team tries to compete game after game. After that, the other stuff is beautiful: filling stadiums, soccer is attracting much bigger crowds in the United States. And clearly, Leo’s arrival has been a major factor in this.”
Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi’s at Barcelona and with the Argentinian national team, expressed his admiration for the forward’s consistent brilliance. “I am a lucky spectator, nothing more, nothing less. I don’t contribute much to the goals, neither with assists nor now as a coach,” Mascherano told reporters after the match. “I am fortunate enough to have seen most, or many, of the goals he has scored, much closer than all of you, and that is an honor.”
He continued, “The numbers we are talking about (approaching 900 goals) are crazy, and that is why Leo is a unique figure.”
The win over D.C. United came after a challenging start to the season for Inter Miami, which included a 3-0 loss to LAFC. However, the team rebounded with a 4-2 comeback victory over Orlando City, demonstrating their resilience and attacking firepower. The team’s ability to overcome adversity will be crucial as they navigate a demanding MLS schedule and prepare for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a competition they qualified for after winning the Leagues Cup – their first major trophy.
Inter Miami’s success is not solely attributable to Messi’s individual brilliance. The club has assembled a roster of high-profile players, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul, creating a dynamic and competitive squad. The team’s estimated value, according to Forbes, is $1.2 billion as of , ranking second in the league behind Los Angeles FC, a testament to the club’s rapid growth and global appeal.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will aim to build on their recent success and continue their pursuit of silverware. With Messi leading the charge, the club has established itself as a legitimate contender in MLS and a rising force in North American soccer. The question now is not whether Messi can reach 900 goals, but how many more trophies he can add to his already illustrious career.