Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano labelled Lionel Messi as "one of a kind" as the forward closes in on 900 career goals.

Messi has scored 898 times for club and country in his professional career, and could reach the 900-goal mark in Miami's MLS match against D.C. United on Saturday.

The 38-year-old has scored 59 goals in 64 MLS games for Miami, averaging a goal every 89 minutes, though his most prolific period came during his prime years with Barcelona.

Messi scored 474 goals in 520 LaLiga matches for the Blaugrana, scoring every 88 minutes on average, while he recorded 129 goals in the Champions League during his time with Barca and Paris Saint-Germain.

Along with a club-record 672 goals for Barcelona, Messi also holds the record for the most goals scored in a single calendar year – 91 in 69 games in 2012 (79 for Barca, 12 for Argentina).

Overall, Messi has scored 115 times for Argentina, leading them to one World Cup (2022) and two Copa America titles.

Mascherano, a former team-mate of Messi, was full of praise for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner ahead of their trip to D.C.

"[I am] a privileged spectator, nothing more, nothing less," Mascherano said.

"I haven't contributed much to him scoring goals, neither with assists nor now as a coach.

"I've been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he's scored, much closer than you all, and that's a privilege.

"The number we're talking about [900] is insane, and that's why Leo is a one of a kind."

Luis Suarez, who has played with Messi at Miami and Barca, has assisted the Argentinian more than any other player (61).

Among active players, only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi. He is the only active player to surpass the 900 milestone.