Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his professional career but could not stop Inter Miami from exiting the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after a 1 1 draw with Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale .
Messi, 38, struck after just seven minutes to give Miami the lead in the second leg of their last 16 tie at Chase Stadium, raising hopes of a memorable night for the MLS champions .
However, Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza fired in a 74th minute equaliser to level the tie 1 1 on aggregate, and the visitors then held firm to progress to the quarter finals on the away goals rule .
The result turned what began as a celebration of Messi’s milestone into a bittersweet farewell, as the game was also Inter Miami’s last appearance at their Chase Stadium home before moving to a new 26,700 seat arena next month .
Messi’s goal against Nashville was his 81st for Inter Miami since joining the club in 2023, adding to 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint Germain and 115 for Argentina at international level .
The Argentine legend’s 900 goal tally comes 21 years after his first senior strike for Barcelona as a 17 year old in a 2 0 win over Albacete in 2005 .
Despite the landmark, Messi still trails long time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 965 official career goals according to most recognised statistical records .
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, a former team mate of Messi at Barcelona and with Argentina, described his numbers as insane and said it was a privilege to have watched many of those goals up close .
He called Messi one of a kind and said the forward’s consistency over two decades sets him apart in football history .
Messi is widely expected to lead Argentina at the expanded 48 team World Cup later this year in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as defending champions .
He has already extended his Inter Miami contract through to the end of the 2028 season, underlining his commitment to the MLS side even as they rebuild at a new home ground .
Over his career, Messi’s 672 goals for Barcelona came in 778 games, helping the Catalan giants win 35 trophies before he joined PSG in 2021, where he added 32 goals in 75 matches and won two Ligue 1 titles among three trophies .
Since moving to Miami, his 81 goals in 96 appearances have powered the club to the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2025 MLS Cup, while his 115 goals in 196 games for Argentina include a brace in the 2022 World Cup final win over France .
Statisticians generally rank Messi second behind Ronaldo in the all time scoring charts, while Brazilian legend Pele is credited by most records with 762 official goals for Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos, despite longstanding claims of more than 1,000 .
About the author
Asake reaffirms loyalty to Olamide downplays split rumours
Afrobeats star Asake has reaffirmed his loyalty to rapper Olamide and dismissed talks of a rift between them despite recent online speculation . In an interview with YouTuber Korty EO, Asake described Olamide, also known as Baddo, as someone he will always hold in the same high regard regardless of how far his own career goes . He said that even if he becomes president of America or Zimbabwe, the way he sees Baddo will never change, stressing that Olamide will always be Baddo in his eyes . Rumours of a split surfaced after Asake removed YBNL from his Instagram bio and unfollowed Olamide in December 2024, prompting fans to suggest there had been a fallout . Industry sources say Asake’s contract with YBNL may have quietly expired, with the singer now operating independently rather than renewing the deal . […]
Gospel singer Judikay recounts emotional loss of sixth pregnancy
Gospel singer Judikay has opened up about the emotional pain of losing her sixth pregnancy, describing the experience as deeply distressing and difficult to process . In a video shared on Instagram, she revealed that the miscarriage happened in February 2025 when she was more than three months pregnant . She said the ordeal began with mild cramps, which she initially dismissed as normal discomfort until she noticed light bleeding, or spotting, that raised concern . Further medical checks later confirmed that she had suffered a missed miscarriage, a diagnosis that left her devastated . Judikay recalled rushing to the washroom and realising that what she expected to be urine was in fact blood that would not stop flowing, making it clear to her that she had lost the baby . She explained that this was the sixth time she […]
Adeboye’s wife says she threw her gold jewellery into lagoon after becoming born again
Foluke Adeboye, wife of Redeemed Christian Church of God General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye, says she threw her gold jewellery into a lagoon after she became a born again Christian . She said in an interview that she once loved fashion and owned valuable pieces but decided to give them up when she joined the RCCG, where wearing earrings was discouraged at the time . Foluke explained that the jewellery she discarded included items she had even set aside for her child, but she felt they no longer aligned with her new convictions about modesty and Christian living . She recalled that a friend of her mother questioned the decision and suggested she could have given the gold to her mother to sell instead . Foluke said she refused because she believed that anything she considered no longer good for […]
Asake says God used 2020 setbacks to humble and prepare him for success
Singer Asake says the difficulties he faced in 2020 were a turning point that humbled him and prepared him for later success . In an interview with content creator Korty EO, he recalled feeling as if God first gave him something sweet and then took it away, leaving him confused at the time . Asake explained that he only later realised that God was using that season to build and shape him, even though he did not understand it while it was happening . He said God then gave him the song with the line “Me I no dey cap, me I no dey form,” which became a breakthrough moment for his career . The artist also spoke about his long standing desire to move abroad, especially to Los Angeles in the United States . He revealed that, even before […]
Messi reaches 900 career goals as Inter Miami crash out of Champions Cup
Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his professional career but could not stop Inter Miami from exiting the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after a 1 1 draw with Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale . Messi, 38, struck after just seven minutes to give Miami the lead in the second leg of their last 16 tie at Chase Stadium, raising hopes of a memorable night for the MLS champions . However, Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza fired in a 74th minute equaliser to level the tie 1 1 on aggregate, and the visitors then held firm to progress to the quarter finals on the away goals rule . The result turned what began as a celebration of Messi’s milestone into a bittersweet farewell, as the game was also Inter Miami’s last appearance at their Chase Stadium home before moving to […]
Iran says it will boycott US not World Cup over 2026 venue row
Iran will boycott the United States but not the 2026 World Cup itself, according to Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj . In a video released by Iranian news agency Fars, Taj said Iran will continue preparing for the tournament but wants its matches moved away from US venues . He explained that the federation is in talks with FIFA about relocating Iran’s World Cup group games, which are currently scheduled to be played in the United States . Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country is ready to host Iran’s first round games if required, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East . She told reporters that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries and will wait for FIFA’s decision, but confirmed that Mexico is open to staging the fixtures . Iran are due to face New Zealand […]
Related
Iran says it will boycott US not World Cup over 2026 venue row
Iran will boycott the United States but not the 2026 World Cup itself, according to Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj . In a video released by Iranian news agency Fars, Taj said Iran will continue preparing for the tournament but wants its matches moved away from US venues . He explained that the federation is in talks with FIFA about relocating Iran’s World Cup group games, which are currently scheduled to be played in the United States . Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country is ready to host Iran’s first round games if required, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East . She told reporters that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries and will wait for FIFA’s decision, but confirmed that Mexico is open to staging the fixtures . Iran are due to face New Zealand […]
Osimhen Aina miss out as Chelle names Super Eagles squad for Iran Jordan friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out in form striker Victor Osimhen and defender Ola Aina from his 23 man squad for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . Team captain Wilfred Ndidi, playmaker Alex Iwobi and forward Ademola Lookman all made the list for the two matches, which will now be played in Antalya after being moved from Amman because of the conflict in the Middle East . An official told NationSport that Osimhen, who is in excellent form for Galatasaray, and Nottingham Forest full back Aina both asked to be excused from the mini tournament for personal reasons . Nigeria will face Iran on Friday, March 27, at 4 p.m. local time and then play Jordan on Tuesday, March 31, at 8 p.m., with both games taking place in Antalya . The […]
Enzo Fernandez unsure over Chelsea future after Champions League exit
Enzo Fernandez has hinted he could leave Chelsea at the end of the season after the club were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint Germain . Chelsea lost 3 0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, completing an 8 3 aggregate defeat in their last 16 tie against the French champions . The world club champions are currently sixth in the Premier League and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for next season . Fernandez captained Chelsea in the second leg in the absence of injured skipper Reece James but did little to end speculation about his future when speaking after the game . Asked by ESPN if he would still be at Stamford Bridge next season, the 25 year old Argentina midfielder replied that there are eight league matches and the FA Cup still to play, […]
Chelle drops Osimhen Nwabali as he unveils Super Eagles squad for friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman in a 23 man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . The matches, originally scheduled for Amman, were moved to Antalya following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement by Nigeria Football Federation Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire . Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 in Antalya at 4 p.m. and then play Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures . Chelle also handed call ups to Maduka Okoye, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu, among others . Debut invitations went to Emmanuel Fernandez, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor, while goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo returned to the […]
Senegal fans brand AFCON title loss to Morocco a disgrace for Africa
Senegalese football fans have condemned the decision to strip their country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, calling the move a disgrace for Africa . Many supporters in Dakar said they were shocked to wake up to the news that the Confederation of African Football had overturned Senegal’s victory in the final played in Rabat on January 18 . CAF ruled late on Tuesday that Senegal had forfeited the match after several of their players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, before later returning to continue the game . Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure a 1 0 win, but CAF’s appeals committee later applied competition rules stating that any team that refuses to play or leaves […]
Morocco awarded AFCON 2025 after CAF ruling
Morocco have officially been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the initial result of the final against Senegal. The match, played on 18 January, originally ended in a 1–0 victory for Senegal. However, it was marked by controversy when Senegalese players temporarily refused to continue play after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco while the score was still level. After a delay of approximately 17 minutes, the game resumed. Morocco’s penalty, taken by Brahim Díaz, was saved, and Senegal later secured victory through an extra-time goal from Pape Gueye. Following a formal appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), CAF’s appeal board reviewed the incident and ruled that Senegal’s actions constituted a breach of tournament regulations. As a result, Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the match, which […]
Be the first to leave a comment