Argentina’s latest friendly match has provided plenty to talk about. And not just because of Argentina’s resounding 5-0 victory over Zambia at La Bombonera or because it was an emotionally charged match, but because of the coach’s post-match comments.
Lionel Scaloni set no limits for the team captain, Lionel Messi, and stated that he believes it is possible for the Albiceleste captain to reach the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals-but with one condition.
Scaloni: Messi has a real shot at 1,000 career goals
The match against Zambia was likely the last game the Albiceleste played on home soil before the World Cup, but it marked the farewell for Nicolás Otamendi, who announced he will retire from the Argentine national team after the tournament. This was likely also Messi’s last game with the team before soccer’s biggest tournament.
Although he has not yet officially confirmed his participation and has stated that everything will depend on how his body responds in the coming months, the 38-year-old idol continues to perform at a high level, and his recent soccer milestone confirms it.
Leo scored his 900th goal in the second leg of the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Despite being eliminated from the tournament, this goal allowed him to join Cristiano Ronaldo (965) as the only two players in soccer history to reach this milestone.
With his goal against Zambia, he now has 902 goals, and his coach with the Albiceleste is confident he will reach 1,000 before retiring:
He could reach 1,000 goals-we’ll have to see how much longer he keeps playing. The point is, he has to want to keep going. I hope he does, because he’s happy on the field and we all want to see him play. He scored more than 90 goals in one season; he can do it.
Scaloni’s words come at a time when the Rosario native’s future is once again up for debate, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and retirement drawing ever closer. Even so, Messi continues to perform at the highest level, fueling the idea that he still has room to further expand his legacy.
Most of the #10’s goals came during his time at Barcelona, where he scored 672 times. He then added another 32 with Paris Saint-Germain and has already tallied 82 with Inter Miami. Additionally, he has scored 116 goals with the Argentina National Team.
Now, looking ahead to the upcoming tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, Argentina will arrive as the defending champion and must defend its title. In Group J, they will face Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, at Kansas City Stadium. Then, at Dallas Stadium, they will play against Austria on Monday, June 22, and against Jordan on Saturday, June 27.
Meanwhile, Leo has extended his contract with Inter Miami through December 2028, giving his fans hope that they’ll see him play for at least a few more years-which would extend his timeline for reaching this legendary milestone.
For now, Inter Miami will host Austin at Nu Stadium on Saturday, June 4, and RB New York on the 11th for MLS action. Will he add to his tally? At least for Scaloni, the goal is clear: if Messi wants it, the record is not a pipe dream.
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