Argentine superstar Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his illustrious career on Wednesday, but it was not enough to prevent Inter Miami CF from crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after a 1–1 draw with Nashville SC.
Messi, 38, struck the historic goal just seven minutes into the second leg of the round-of-16 clash, putting Miami 1–0 ahead at Chase Stadium in Florida.
However, Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza equalised in the 74th minute, making it 1–1 on aggregate. The visitors then held firm to advance to the quarter-finals on the away goals rule.
Miami’s elimination turned what was expected to be a celebratory night into a bittersweet one, despite Messi’s milestone.
The goal increased Messi’s tally for Inter Miami to 81 goals since joining the club in 2023. Before his move to the United States, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 672 goals for FC Barcelona, 32 goals for Paris Saint-Germain, and 115 international goals for Argentina national football team.
Messi’s 900th goal came 21 years after his first senior goal, which he scored for Barcelona in a 2–0 win over Albacete Balompié in 2005 when he was just 17 years old.
Despite the achievement, Messi still trails long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 965 career goals.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona and Argentina, described the milestone as extraordinary.
“The number we’re talking about — 900 — is insane, and that’s why Leo is one of a kind,” Mascherano said.
Wednesday’s match also marked Inter Miami’s final game at Chase Stadium, which has served as the club’s home since entering Major League Soccer in 2020. The club is set to move into a new 26,700-seat stadium next month.
Messi is also expected to feature in his sixth FIFA World Cup later this year when Argentina national football team defend their title at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Argentine legend recently extended his contract with Inter Miami until 2028, continuing a career widely regarded as one of the greatest in football history.
