Messi scored twice for Inter Miami this week to move his career total to 884 goals across club and country. That leaves the Argentina captain within striking distance of Ronaldo, who hit the 900-goal milestone in September 2024 while playing for Portugal in the Nations League.

The two icons, who share 13 Ballon d’Or awards between them, remain the sport’s defining figures despite both leaving European football. At nearly 40, they continue to deliver goals at a level younger rivals struggle to match.

Ronaldo required 1,236 appearances to reach 900 goals, averaging a strike every 112 minutes. Messi’s efficiency is even sharper: 884 goals in 1,124 games. He needs just 17 goals in his next 111 matches to overhaul the Portuguese forward.

Beyond goals, Messi is closing in on other milestones. He is eight assists shy of 400 for his career and 24 combined goal contributions away from reaching 1,300. These figures underline his dual impact as both scorer and creator.

Argentina are scheduled to play four friendlies before the end of 2025, while Messi’s Inter Miami commitments mean he could feature in as many as 15 matches over that span. His availability for every game, however, remains uncertain.

Ronaldo himself admitted the magnitude of his 900-goal landmark last year, calling it “a unique milestone” achieved through relentless work and discipline. For Messi, the opportunity to surpass it will fuel fresh debates over legacies that have already shaped modern football.

Whether Messi overtakes his great rival or not, both players’ careers stand as a testament to two decades of brilliance. For fans, the countdown to Messi’s 900th goal will add yet another chapter to an era defined by their extraordinary rivalry.