The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had been quiet lately, but given both players’ scoring prowess, the debate has added a new chapter: determining which of the two will reach 1,000 goals first.
The captains of Inter Miami and Al Nassr each scored goals in their standout performances this weekend, narrowing the gap between themselves and the prestigious milestone. How do their numbers stand?
Here’s how the race for 1,000 goals between Messi and CR7 stands
This Saturday, April 18, the 38-year-old Argentine captain scored two goals in the away match against the Colorado Rapids (2-3). The first came from a penalty in the 18th minute, which the Argentine converted perfectly. Germán Berterame scored Inter Miami’s second goal, and then, in the second half, Leo received a pass from Rodrigo De Paul in the 79th minute and fired a fantastic cross-goal shot that gave the team its first victory after two consecutive draws and the first win with Guillermo Hoyos at the helm.
With this, Leo now has 905 goals. Most of his goals came during his time at Barcelona, where he scored 672 times. He then added another 32 with Paris Saint-Germain and has already scored 85 with Inter Miami. Additionally, he has scored 116 goals with the Argentina National Team.
Cristiano Ronaldo, for his part, is coming off a double celebration, as during the match against Al-Wasl this Sunday, April 19, in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League 2, he not only secured a 4-0 victory, but also scored a goal with an impeccable finish after a precise cross from Boushal in the 11th minute. He was later substituted in the second half by Abdullah Al-Hamdan in the 68th minute.
This brings his total goal tally to 970, leaving him 30 goals shy of the 1,000-goal mark. Throughout his career, the Portuguese forward has scored 451 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, another 5 for Sporting CP, and has already tallied 124 goals for Al-Nassr. Additionally, he has scored 143 goals for the Portuguese national team.
Thus: Cristiano has 970 goals, while Lionel Messi follows with 905.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr will play its next Saudi Professional League match at home on Wednesday, the 29th, against Al-Ahli, in a direct clash at the top of the table. Al-Ahli currently holds 3rd place, while Al-Nassr seeks to consolidate its lead.
On the other hand, Messi and Inter Miami will face Real Salt Lake at America First Field for another MLS match on Wednesday, the 22nd, and will wrap up the month of April at Nu Stadium on Saturday, the 25th, where they will take on New England in search of their first home victory.
Only time will tell if they can score those remaining goals before bringing their professional careers to a close.
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