Messi’s 936th Goal Puts Him Ahead of Ronaldo at 39 – A Look at the Numbers
Messi’s brace pushes his career tally to 936
In a 3–1 triumph over Atlanta United, Lionel Messi found the back of the net twice, taking his official goal count to 936. The Argentine forward achieved the milestone at 39 years of age, a figure that now eclipses the total Cristiano Ronaldo had amassed at the same point in his career.
Where the two legends stand at 39
- Lionel Messi: Turned 39 on 24 June 2026. At that birthday he had recorded 916 goals. Eight months later, after a series of matches with Inter Miami, he added 20 more to reach 936.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Celebrated his 39th birthday on 5 February 2024 with 873 official goals in 1,204 games.
Ronaldo’s output in the year that followed – from his 39th to his 40th birthday – saw him score 50 additional goals, bringing his total to 923 when he turned 40 on 5 February 2025.
Comparative career trajectories
Both players continue to add to their tallies, but the contexts differ. Messi has retired from international duty with Argentina, meaning his future goals will come solely from club competitions – MLS regular season, the U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF tournaments with Inter Miami. Ronaldo, meanwhile, remains active with Al Nassr and still represents Portugal, giving him a broader pool of fixtures.
Road to the 1,000‑goal club
Ronaldo is now 19 goals shy of the coveted 1,000‑goal landmark. Analysts project that, should he maintain his recent scoring rate, the milestone is within reach before he decides to hang up his boots.
Messi, although further from the 1,000‑goal mark, enjoys a higher goals‑per‑game ratio and is more than two years younger than Ronaldo. If he continues to score at a comparable pace, the gap could narrow, keeping the race for the ultimate scoring record very much alive.
Key factors that could shape the final tallies
- Match volume: Ronaldo’s involvement with both club and country offers more opportunities, while Messi’s schedule is limited to domestic and continental club fixtures.
- Physical longevity: Both athletes have defied conventional expectations of age‑related decline, but future injuries or decisions to retire will directly affect their ability to add to their totals.
- Team dynamics: Inter Miami’s attacking style under Messi may generate more chances, whereas Al Nassr’s tactics could either boost or limit Ronaldo’s scoring chances depending on the season.
What fans can expect
The coming months will be crucial for both superstars. Messi has roughly eight months left before his 40th birthday, a period that could see him add a sizable chunk to his record if he stays fit and maintains his current form. Ronaldo, now 40, will likely aim to close the 19‑goal gap before the end of his contract with Al Nassr.
Regardless of who reaches 1,000 first, the duel between Messi and Ronaldo continues to provide a captivating narrative for football enthusiasts worldwide. Their parallel journeys, marked by relentless goal‑scoring and record‑breaking performances, underline why they are universally regarded as two of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
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