Messi and Cristiano Enter Another Battle
Cristiano Ronaldo is just 22 goals away from reaching 1,000 career goals, while Lionel Messi keeps another chapter alive in a historic rivalry that has defined soccer for more than two decades.
The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo still has chapters left to be written. Although both are in the final stages of their careers, they continue to chase records and add to numbers that once seemed impossible, with the 1,000-goal milestone now emerging as one of the biggest individual challenges.
The Portuguese star begins the 2026/27 season with Al Nassr particularly close to that mark. At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 978 official career goals, meaning he needs just 22 more to reach 1,000.
Cristiano Ronaldo Closes In on 1,000 Goals
The new Saudi Pro League season could become a historic one for Cristiano. During each of his previous three full campaigns in Saudi Arabia, he comfortably surpassed 22 goals, meaning that maintaining his usual scoring pace would put him in position to reach the historic milestone.
The striker himself has previously acknowledged that reaching 1,000 goals is among his objectives, although he has made it clear that winning trophies remains a priority.
This season, Al Nassr will once again feature players such as Bento, Mohamed Simakan, Iñigo Martínez, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sané and João Félix, while also adding Samú Costa. The team is also beginning a new era under Ange Postecoglou, who replaced Jorge Jesus.
Messi Keeps a Historic Rivalry Alive
While Cristiano Ronaldo is considerably closer to 1,000 goals, Lionel Messi continues to add to his own tally and keep alive a comparison that has followed both players throughout virtually their entire careers.
The Argentine continues competing with Inter Miami, and every new goal once again brings the statistics of the two most dominant players of their generation into the conversation.
The current gap gives the Portuguese star a significant advantage in the race to 1,000, but the challenge represents another chapter in a rivalry that has featured Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and now continues thousands of miles away from Europe.
At this stage of their careers, the weekly battle they shared for years in Spain is long gone. However, records continue to connect the careers of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. For the Portuguese star, 1,000 goals are getting closer; for both, every match remains another opportunity to add to a legacy that may never be repeated.
