Jakarta, ThedailyID — Lionel Messi scored twice against Atlanta United to bring his career tally to 936 goals for club and country. The Inter Miami forward now needs 64 more goals to reach the historic milestone of 1,000.
Both goals showcased the individual brilliance that defined Messi during his younger years. He dribbled forward from near the halfway line before finishing with his trademark close control and composure.
For his first goal, Messi exchanged a one-two pass with Germán Berterame near the penalty area. He then regained possession and finished from a difficult angle with impressive precision.
His second goal was another solo effort. Messi sprinted from midfield, beat a defender in a one-on-one duel near the penalty area, and calmly sent the ball into the net.
At 39, Messi still has time to pursue the 1,000-goal milestone. His Inter Miami contract runs until 2028, giving him two full MLS seasons remaining, in 2027 and 2028.
Inter Miami currently sit second in the Eastern Conference regular-season standings. That position puts the team on course for the playoffs, which could give Messi additional matches and more opportunities to score.
Reaching 1,000 goals within that period remains a realistic possibility, according to the figures cited in the report. Messi needs 64 goals, while his focus on club football could also help him manage his fitness following his retirement from Argentina’s national team, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo is much closer to the milestone. The Al Nassr forward has scored 981 career goals and needs only 19 more to reach 1,000.
Ronaldo is 41, making him two years older than Messi. The race between the two football icons to reach the landmark remains a major storyline as their careers continue.
