TThe rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has been quiet lately, but given the scoring ability of both players, a new chapter has been added to the debate to decide who will reach 1,000 goals first.
The Inter Miami and Al Nasr captains scored goals each in outstanding performances this weekend, closing the gap on the prestigious milestone. What are their numbers like?
Here’s how the race for 1,000 goals will go between Messi and CR7
This Saturday, April 18th, the 38-year-old Argentine captain scored two goals in an away game against Colorado Rapids (2-3). The first goal came from a penalty kick in the 18th minute, which the Argentine converted perfectly. Germund Bertelame scored Inter Miami’s second goal, and in the 79th minute of the second half, Leo received a pass from Rodrigo de Paul and fired a wonderful cross-goal shot, giving the team their first win after two consecutive draws and their first win under coach Guillermo Hoyos.
Leo now has 905 goals. Most of his goals came during his time at Barcelona, where he scored 672 goals. He went on to add another 32 goals for Paris Saint-Germain, and has already scored 85 for Inter Miami. He also scored 116 goals for the Argentina national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo not only secured a 4-0 win against Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League 2 quarter-finals this Sunday, April 19, but also completed a double celebration by scoring in the 11th minute with a perfect finish from Bouchard’s precise cross. He was then replaced by Abdullah Alhamdan in the 68th minute of the second half.
This brings his total goal tally to 970, putting him just 30 goals away from reaching 1,000. Throughout his career, the Portuguese forward has scored 451 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, five more for Sporting CP, and already has 124 goals for Al Nasr. Additionally, he has scored 143 goals for the Portuguese national team.
Therefore, Cristiano has scored 970 goals, followed by Lionel Messi with 905 goals.
Meanwhile, Al Nasr will face Al Ahly at home on Wednesday the 29th in their next match in the Saudi Pro League, in a head-to-head showdown for the top spot. Al Ahly currently holds third place, while Al Nasr are looking to consolidate their lead.
Meanwhile, Messi and Inter Miami will play an MLS match against Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Wednesday the 22nd, before closing out April at the New Stadium on Saturday the 25th, facing New England in search of their first home win.
Only time will tell if he can score the remaining goals before calling an end to his professional career.
