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Will Lionel Messi Reach 1000 Career Goals? Messi vs Ronaldo – Who Is Closer to 1000 Goals? Explore detailed stats, expert analysis.
Lionel Messi has wowed football fans for years with his remarkable goals. As of October 14, 2025, he has netted 886+ goals and provided 361+ assists for both club and country, a tally that most players can only aspire to.
Now at 38, Messi plays for Inter Miami and continues to showcase his talent. The big question is: can he reach the milestone of 1,000 career goals? That means he needs just 114 more.
Experts believe it's possible if he stays healthy and continues playing. Fans are eager to see if their hero can achieve this significant feat. Let’s explore his stats, expert insights, and what the future holds for Messi’s historic pursuit.
Messi's club journey began at Barcelona in 2004, where he spent 17 years and became the club's all-time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances. His impressive tally includes goals scored in La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and various other competitions.
After departing from Barcelona in 2021, he joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for two seasons, netting 32 goals in 75 matches across Ligue 1, the French Cup, and European competitions, helping PSG secure two league titles.
Since 2023, Messi has played for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), where he has already scored 68 goals in 81 games. In the 2025 season alone, he tallied 34 goals, including 26 in MLS matches. He also became the fastest player to reach 40 MLS goals and won the MLS Most Valuable Player award.
On the international front, Messi has scored 114 goals for Argentina across 194 caps. He holds records for most goals in Copa América (14 goals and 18 assists) and most goal contributions in World Cup history (21).
His crowning achievement came with Argentina's victory in the 2022 World Cup, where he scored seven goals and provided three assists.
In 2024, he led Argentina to consecutive Copa América titles while adding one more goal to his impressive total. During recent qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, he tied appearance records and maintained his scoring prowess at age 38.
Messi’s scoring rate has been remarkable throughout his career. Since his debut in 2004, he’s averaged about 41 goals per year across all competitions (886+ goals over 21.5 years). During his peak years at Barcelona, he scored between 40 and 90 goals each season from 2010 to 2013.
After transferring to PSG in 2021, he continued to net about 16 goals per season. Now with Inter Miami, his performance in the 2025 season has been outstanding, tallying 34 goals in 39 matches, which averages out to 0.87 goals per game.
When including his appearances for Argentina, such as World Cup qualifiers, he has played roughly 50 games annually lately, scoring at a rate of 0.7 to 0.9 goals per game.
To reach the milestone of 1,000 goals, Messi needs an additional 114 goals. If he keeps up his current form at Inter Miami (0.87 goals per game), he would require around 131 games to reach that target.
Given that he plays about 50 matches a season, across MLS, Leagues Cup, and international fixtures, it would take him approximately 2.6 years to achieve this, pushing the timeline to mid-2028 when he will be 41 years old.
If his scoring rate drops to a more conservative estimate of 0.7 goals per game due to age considerations, he would need about 163 games or around 3.3 years, extending the timeline to late 2028.
Age is an important factor in this equation. At the age of 38, Messi remains in good shape and has managed to avoid significant injuries in 2025. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo have shown that maintaining elite performance levels is possible even later in their careers at age 40.
The less demanding schedule of MLS compared to European leagues also provides Messi with more time for recovery. However, minor injuries, like the ankle issue he faced in 2024, could hinder his progress. If he ends up playing fewer games each season, say around 40, it could push the timeline closer to four years for reaching that goal.
Another factor is his role with Argentina. Messi has hinted at retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup, where he’s likely to play about 7–10 games if Argentina reaches the final.
At his current international rate (0.6 goals per game), he might add 4–6 goals there. This would leave 108–110 goals to score at Inter Miami, requiring about 125–157 games at his MLS rate.
Could he play that long? Messi’s contract with Inter Miami extends through 2026, with options for an extension. He has shared his happiness about playing in Miami, and both the club’s fans and David Beckham’s ownership are eager to keep him around. If he remains healthy and motivated, playing until 41 or 42 seems quite possible.
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has shaped football for two decades, with both players setting numerous records. As of October 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo is ahead in the race towards this milestone.
He has scored 948+ goals for both club and country, just 30-52 away from reaching 1000. Lionel Messi follows closely with 886+ goals, requiring 90+ more. This difference underscores Ronaldo's advantage in total goals.
At 40 years old, Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he scored 35 goals during the 2024-25 season and has already netted five in the current season.
His international tally stands at 143 for Portugal, bolstered by eight goals during the team's victory in the 2025 UEFA Nations League. Ronaldo's strength and aerial ability shine through in his headers—he leads with a remarkable total of 153 career headers. With his current scoring rate of 0.8 goals per game, he could reach the milestone of 1000 goals by mid-2026 or early 2027.
Messi, now 38, is thriving at Inter Miami in MLS, having scored 36 goals in 2025 across all competitions. His impressive tally includes 114 goals for Argentina, showcasing his World Cup heroics. Messi's brilliance is evident in his dribbling and free-kicks (69 scored), maintaining a career average of 0.75 goals per game.
Who will win the race to reach 1000 goals? Right now, Ronaldo is closer, but Messi's consistency could certainly change the dynamics.
Will Lionel Messi retire before he reaches 1000 goals, leaving fans with a bittersweet ending? He’s at 886 goals. The idea of him walking away, maybe after the 2026 World Cup at 39, feels like losing a piece of football’s soul. Fans can’t imagine the game without his delicate touches and incredible goals.
In Miami, he’s mentioned wanting more time with his kids, and that pulls at the heartstrings. If he quits post-World Cup, he might only get 60 more games, tough to score 90-114. Picture him in 2027, still in Inter Miami’s pink, chasing that 1000th goal under floodlights. Will age or injury stop him? Or will his passion keep him going, giving fans one last miracle? The world watches, hoping Messi’s story doesn’t end too soon.
Experts are buzzing about Lionel Messi's chances of hitting 1,000 career goals, with many highlighting his timeless skill at 38.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, a former teammate, praises his adaptability: “He’s a player who seems to stop time and continues making a difference game after game. If there’s something he has shown throughout his career, it’s the ability to constantly reinvent himself and add new things to his game.
This echoes why Messi leads global goal contributions in 2025 with 43 (30 goals, 13 assists), per World Soccer Talk: “At 38, the Inter Miami star leads the world in goal contributions during 2025.
ESPN's tracking notes his efficiency: a goal every 92.8 minutes this year. Overall, pundits agree health is key, but his vision and precision make the milestone realistic by 2028.
But not everyone's convinced. Yahoo Sports pundits argue Messi's "too far back" at 886+, calling Ronaldo the "only realistic hope" for 1,000, given his closer tally of 948+. The split opinions keep the excitement alive and the big question is still, will Messi's smarts outlast the odds?
The numbers say it’s possible, but it’s not guaranteed. If Messi averages 30–35 goals per season, he could hit 1,000 by 2028. Challenges like fatigue or unexpected injuries could delay it, but his history of defying odds keeps hope alive. The football world watches, wondering if the little genius can etch his name even deeper into history.
Lionel Messi scored 886+ official goals.
114 goals away from 1000.
possibly if he doesn't retire at the age of 39.
No. Cristiano Ronaldo are closer to reach 1000 goals.
Lionel Messi will need 3-4 years to reach 1000 goals at his current rate.
Yes, with 40+ goals expected annually in MLS.
Possibly, if he adds 50-60 more including friendlies.