Cristiano Ronaldo has openly spoken about his dream of scoring 1,000 career goals — a milestone that only the greatest players can aspire to. But can Lionel Messi, his long-time rival, reach the same incredible feat?
With his new Inter Miami contract running until 2028, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has a real chance to close in on that historic number.
By the end of the deal, Messi will be 41 years old, marking what’s expected to be the final chapter of his professional career.
Lionel Messi Motivation and Vision at Inter Miami
Speaking during the contract announcement, Messi expressed his happiness and commitment to his club and city.
“It makes me really happy to stay here and continue this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality,” said Messi.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham praised Messi’s dedication, saying, “We brought the best player in the world to our city, and he’s still as hungry to win as ever.”
Chasing the 1,000-Goal Milestone
At the time of writing, Messi has scored 889 career goals, meaning he needs 111 more to hit the 1,000-goal mark.
In 2025 alone, he has already scored 39 goals for club and country — with five matches still left in the MLS Cup.
If he maintains his current scoring rate, Messi could easily end the year with around 45 goals.
To reach 1,000 by 2028, he’ll need to average around 37 goals per year — a tough but not impossible target for a player of his consistency.
Whether he reaches it or not, Messi’s legacy is already unmatched.
But one thing is certain, his journey in Miami Freedom Park is far from over.
