The Argentine superstar currently has 921 goals to his name, with projections suggesting the milestone is within reach.
Lionel Messi continues to expand his collection of records. At 37 years old, the Argentine legend has surpassed the 920-goal mark and now has a new objective in his sights as his career enters its final stages: the symbolic milestone of 1,000 goals.
How Many Goals Does Messi Need?
According to official match data used by major international statisticians, Messi has scored 921 goals for his clubs and senior national team. This leaves him just 79 goals short of the 1,000-goal mark. Over a career spanning more than two decades, the forward has found the back of the net for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentine national team.
Is the 1,000-Goal Target Achievable?
Despite his age, the objective is considered viable. Over the last two and a half seasons, Messi has maintained an impressive scoring average of approximately 0.83 goals per game for Inter Miami and Argentina. If he maintains this pace, he would need between 95 and 100 matches to score the remaining 79 goals, a feat he could potentially achieve by 2028. Coincidentally, his current contract with Inter Miami runs until the end of that year.
The Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo
The race to 1,000 goals has an added layer of excitement as it also involves Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star remains ahead in the official goal count (976) and is closer to reaching the historic milestone. Meanwhile, Messi will be looking to close the gap in the coming years. It is worth noting that Ronaldo is two years older than his Argentine rival.
No player has officially scored 1,000 goals in recognized, competitive professional matches across clubs and national teams in soccer history. The two "GOATs" of this generation - Ronaldo and Messi - could become the first.
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