Lionel Messi Closes Gap on Cristiano Ronaldo in Race to 1,000 Career Goals
- Lionel Messi scored and assisted as Inter Miami registered a 2-0 victory over Portland Timbers, taking his career goal tally to 910
- The Argentine phenom now sits 62 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains football’s all-time leading scorer with a tally of 972
- Ronaldo heads into the final stages of the season after another setback, with Al Nassr losing the AFC Champions League Two final
Every appearance from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and every goal they score, adds another chapter to the race toward the historic 1,000-goal milestone.
After Inter Miami CF’s latest match against the Portland Timbers on Sunday, May 17, the Argentine icon has moved a little closer to his long-time rival.
Source: Getty Images
According to Fox Sports, Inter Miami claimed their first victory at NU Stadium since the venue opened, securing a 2-0 win with goals from Germán Berterame and Messi.
That latest strike took the Argentinian's official career tally to 910 goals, but where does Ronaldo stand?
Messi and Ronaldo racing to 1,000 goals
Inter Miami wrapped up the result before halftime and successfully protected their lead after the break.
Messi opened the scoring in the 30th minute following a move started by Luis Suárez, who linked up with Telasco Segovia before the Argentine converted the opportunity.
Less than 10 minutes later, the scorer turned provider and assisted Berterame for Inter Miami’s second goal in the 41st minute.
The Argentine captain has now scored 910 official goals in 1,153 matches across club and international football.
His goals are distributed as follows:
- 116 goals for the Argentina national football team
- 672 goals for FC Barcelona
- 32 goals for Paris Saint-Germain
- 90 goals for Inter Miami.
That Inter Miami tally includes his 13th MLS goal of the season.
Where Ronaldo scored his 970-plus career goals
Despite closing the gap, Messi remains 61 goals behind Ronaldo, who leads the all-time list with 972 official goals.
Most of CR7's goals came during his legendary spell with Real Madrid, where he scored 451 times, as noted on the club's official website.
His complete tally also includes:
- 143 goals for the Portugal national football team
- 145 goals for Manchester United
- 101 goals for Juventus
- 5 goals for Sporting
- 126 goals for Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese star is also coming off another disappointment after Al-Nassr suffered a 1-0 defeat against Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final on May 16.
Source: Getty Images
Ronaldo’s final opportunity to lift silverware this season now rests on the Saudi Pro League, with a decisive clash against Damac FC scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at Al Awwal Park.
Since joining Al-Nassr at the start of 2023, he has yet to win an official trophy with the club, marking the longest trophy drought of his club career.
Across approximately three and a half years of playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has now lost all four finals he has competed in.
Ronaldo drops retirement hint
YEN.com.gh also previously reported that Cristiano Ronaldo had dropped a new hint about his future as an active player.
The Al Nassr star hinted that his career was nearing its end but admitted that his love for football remained unchanged.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
