How long it will take Lionel Messi to reach 900 career goals

The race to 900 career goals is on for Lionel Messi, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo having recently crossed that incredible milestone. But how long will it take Messi, now at 838 goals , to reach that landmark himself?
Let’s break it down.
Messi's goal-scoring journey has been nothing short of spectacular. From his 17-year dominance at Barcelona —where he scored 672 goals —to his brief but impactful stint at PSG , and now at Inter Miami , his consistency has been unparalleled. Add to that his 109 goals for Argentina , and the numbers speak for themselves. But Ronaldo, being two years older, got a head start, leaving Messi to chase down this legendary milestone.
Now, the big question: How long will it take Messi to reach 900 goals?
The Math Behind the Goals:
As of now, Messi has scored 840 goals in 1,070 games . To hit the 900 mark, he needs to score 60 more goals . On average, throughout his career, Messi has netted a goal every 104.6 minutes , which means it could take him around 70 matches to score the remaining 60 goals at this rate.
But here’s where things get more interesting. Since his move to Inter Miami , Messi's goal-scoring rate has surged. In 30 appearances , he's found the net 27 times , averaging a goal every 90.4 minutes —a far better return compared to his last seasons at PSG or even Barcelona. At this pace, it would take Messi 61 matches to reach the 900-goal landmark.
Can Messi Get There Faster?
We all remember Messi’s freakishly prolific season in 2010-11 when he was averaging a goal every 72 minutes . If, somehow, Messi can recapture even a fraction of that magic, he could reach 900 goals in as few as 48 matches . While that’s a long shot—especially at 37—it shows that when Messi’s in form, anything is possible.
The Real Challenge: Fitness
The biggest hurdle in Messi’s journey to 900 goals isn't his form or ability to score—it's staying fit. Since joining Inter Miami , Messi has already missed 25 games due to a lingering ligament injury. As much as his goal-scoring ability is still intact, it all depends on whether he can stay injury-free for long stretches.
However, if Messi manages to maintain his recent scoring rate and stays fit enough to play a consistent run of games, it’s more than likely that he will hit the 900-goal mark sometime next season.
The race for 900 goals between these two football icons adds yet another chapter to their storied rivalry. Cristiano Ronaldo may have already crossed the finish line, but Messi isn’t far behind. Given his current form and ability to adapt to the MLS, Messi could well reach 900 goals by next season.
Messi’s magic is far from fading —it’s just a matter of time before he, too, etches his name into the 900-goal club alongside Ronaldo.