Lionel Messi has etched his name further into the record books, becoming only the second footballer in history to score 900 top-level professional goals.

The milestone came during Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 second-leg clash against Nashville SC at Geodis Park on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old Argentine maestro reached the historic mark just seven minutes into the match.

Since his high-profile move to Major League Soccer in June 2023, Messi has maintained a prolific scoring rate, netting 81 goals in just 92 appearances for Inter Miami.

His clinical form has already propelled the club to both Leagues Cup and MLS Cup titles.Messi’s journey to 900 goals spans over two decades of dominance.

It began in 2005 when he became Barcelona’s youngest-ever scorer at age 17. During his legendary tenure in Spain, he recorded a staggering 672 goals in 778 matches.

He later added 32 goals during a two-season stay at Paris Saint-Germain before taking his talents to the United States.On the international stage, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been equally peerless.

Messi has scored 115 goals in 196 appearances for Argentina, a career highlighted by leading his nation to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar.

Data from Opta provides a fascinating breakdown of his scoring prowess.

The vast majority of his 900 goals were struck with his signature left foot from inside the penalty area.

His tally also includes 112 successfully converted penalties and 70 goals scored directly from free-kicks, underscoring his status as one of the most versatile attackers in the history of the sport.

Source: AP