Argentine superstar Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his illustrious career on Wednesday, but Inter Miami were knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after a 1-1 draw with Nashville, losing on away goals.
Messi, 38, reached the milestone in style, firing Miami ahead just seven minutes into the second leg of their last-16 tie. However, Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza struck in the 74th minute to level the match and seal qualification for the visitors on the away goals rule.
The result ended what had promised to be a celebratory night for Miami, with Messi’s historic strike overshadowed by the club’s elimination in their final game at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
The goal took Messi’s tally for Inter Miami to 81 since joining the MLS side in 2023. Over his career, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain, and 115 for Argentina.
His 900th goal came 21 years after his first senior strike, scored for Barcelona as a 17-year-old in a 2-0 win over Albacete in 2005.
Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, Messi still trails his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads the all-time charts with 965 career goals.
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi at both Barcelona and Argentina, described the milestone as extraordinary.
“The number we’re talking about is insane. Leo is one of a kind,” Mascherano said.
End of an era
Wednesday’s match also marked Inter Miami’s farewell to Chase Stadium, their home since joining Major League Soccer in 2020. The club is set to move into a new 26,700-capacity stadium next month.
Messi’s remarkable scoring consistency remains a defining feature of his career. At Barcelona, he netted 672 goals in 778 appearances, helping the club win 35 trophies. He added 32 goals in 75 games during his stint with Paris Saint-Germain.
Since arriving in Miami, Messi has scored 81 goals in 96 appearances, leading the club to the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2025 MLS Cup.
On the international stage, he has scored 115 goals in 196 matches, including twice in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final victory over France.
Messi is expected to feature at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina will defend their title, and has already extended his Inter Miami contract until 2028.
His 900-goal milestone cements his place among football’s all-time greats, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in recognised career scoring records.
AFP
