Lionel Messi has become only the second footballer in history to score 900 goals in top-level professional matches after finding the net for Inter Miami against Nashville SC on Wednesday.
The Argentine forward reached the milestone just seven minutes into the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 second-leg clash at Geodis Park in Tennessee. Since joining Inter Miami in June 2023, the 38-year-old has scored 81 goals in 92 appearances, helping the club win the Leagues Cup and MLS Cup.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has also enjoyed prolific spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team, winning the Ballon d’Or a record eight times. He began his scoring journey as Barcelona’s youngest goalscorer at 17 years, 10 months and seven days in 2005, and went on to score 672 goals in 778 matches for the Spanish giants, winning numerous domestic and international titles.
Messi later added 32 goals in 75 matches during a two-season stint at PSG before moving to Major League Soccer. Internationally, he has scored 115 goals in 196 appearances, leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title.
According to Opta, most of Messi’s goals have come from his left foot, with a large majority scored from inside the penalty area, alongside 112 penalties and 70 free-kicks.