Messi’s four-goal masterclass changes race to 1,000 as Cristiano Ronaldo’s lead shrinks

Lionel Messi has turned up the pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo in the race to 1,000 career goals after producing another extraordinary reminder that, even at 39, his scoring rate is showing few signs of slowing.

Messi scored four times and supplied an assist as Inter Miami demolished CF Montreal 7-1, taking his official career total to 927 goals.

Ronaldo remains ahead with 978 after scoring for Al Nassr against Al Taawoun, but Messi’s explosive night reduced the gap between the two icons to 51.

There is still significant ground to make up, yet Messi’s form means what once looked like an almost impossible pursuit suddenly appears considerably more interesting.

Messi puts four past Montreal

Messi didn’t simply pad his numbers against Montreal. He produced the type of individual display that has defined his career.

His four goals included two free kicks, while he also created Luis Suarez’s goal as Inter Miami finally ended a five-game winless run in spectacular fashion.

The performance took Messi to 927 goals in 1,171 senior appearances, an extraordinary rate given that he has also spent much of his career operating as a creator rather than solely as a penalty-area scorer.

He has now scored 31 times in 34 matches for club and country during 2026, evidence that his pursuit of four figures isn’t being sustained by reputation alone.

Ronaldo still leads, but Messi has time on his side

Ronaldo remains the favorite to become the first of the pair to reach 1,000. At 978, the Portuguese forward requires only another 22 goals.

Messi still needs 73, making the immediate mathematical advantage overwhelmingly Ronaldo’s.

But there is another factor keeping the argument alive: age.

Ronaldo is 41, while Messi is 39. If both continue playing beyond the current season, the Argentine has potentially more time to close the remaining distance.

Their international numbers also favor Ronaldo, who has scored 146 goals for Portugal compared with Messi’s 125 for Argentina.

Yet Messi’s four-goal exhibition against Montreal provided another twist.

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