Messi and Ronaldo, two legendary footballers, are on the cusp of hitting the incredible milestone of 1,000 goals each. As they near the end of their illustrious careers, the question arises – how much longer will it take for them to reach this impressive feat?
Who will be the next to hit 1,000 goals before hanging up their boots?
Currently, Lionel Messi sits at 838 goals, just 162 goals away from reaching the coveted milestone. Playing in the United States could potentially give Messi the opportunity to score more goals, as the competition is not as tough as it is in Europe.
In 2023, Messi managed to score 11 goals in 14 games for Inter Miami, and in 2024, he already has 14 goals in just 15 games. If he maintains this impressive rate of almost one goal per game, Messi could reach the 1,000 goal mark in approximately 160 more games in the US, as long as he avoids any injuries.
An Inter Miami season typically ranges between 40 to 59 games, depending on the number of tournaments they participate in. This includes 34 MLS games, up to 5 playoff games, a maximum of 6 US Open Cup games, up to 7 Leagues Cup games, and potentially 7 games in the CONCACAF Champions League.
It is estimated that Messi will need approximately four more seasons to score his 1,000th goal. With his consistent performance, Messi can average around 30-40 goals per season in all competitions, possibly even hitting 50 in some exceptional matches. With his dedication to the Argentina national team, Messi may add a few more goals to his tally before potentially retiring after the 2026 World Cup.
As for Ronaldo, he currently has 895 goals to his name. Despite missing the chance to reach the 900-goal milestone during EURO 2024, Ronaldo is back at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, working towards improving his scoring record. Although the competition may not be as tough as in European leagues, Ronaldo is focused on continuing to score goals.
Ronaldo, like Messi, shows no signs of slowing down, having scored an impressive 50 goals in 51 matches during the 2023/24 season at the age of 39. With 105 more goals needed to reach the 1,000-goal mark, Ronaldo aims to maintain his impressive performance for the next two seasons to achieve his goal by the age of 41.
If Ronaldo adds 105 more goals to his record, he will hit the impressive milestone of 1000 goals. Each season with Al Nassr typically consists of 44-66 matches, including games in various competitions. With his age in mind, Ronaldo may not play every single match to conserve energy and rest, likely participating in around 45-50 matches per season.
Although Ronaldo still plays for the national team, there may come a time after EURO 2024 where he takes on a different role, possibly focusing more on scoring when needed. Despite this potential shift, he remains capable of scoring against weaker opponents in World Cup qualifiers to inch closer to 1000 goals.
In contrast to Messi’s relaxed approach in the US, Ronaldo maintains a competitive spirit, fueled by his quest for 1000 goals. He is unlikely to give up easily and may explore other opportunities if needed to continue pursuing this milestone.
