Lionel Messi scores 900th career goal but Inter Miami out of Champions Cup

Lionel Messi made history on Wednesday night by scoring the 900th goal of his legendary career, yet the milestone was met with a bittersweet ending as Inter Miami was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Despite Messi’s early heroics, a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC saw the Florida side crash out of the tournament on the away goals rule following a 1-1 aggregate deadlock.

The historic moment arrived in the 7th minute at Chase Stadium when Messi capitalized on a defensive lapse, firing a trademark low, left-footed strike from 12 yards out that slipped through a defender’s legs and into the bottom corner. 

The goal sparked rapturous celebrations for what was Inter Miami’s final match at their Fort Lauderdale home before their scheduled move to a new stadium next month.

However, the atmosphere shifted as Nashville tightened their defense and eventually found an equalizer, clinging to the result needed to advance based on their away scoring advantage.

Messi now becomes only the second male player in the history of the sport to reach the 900-goal plateau, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently sits at 965. 

The Argentine’s tally includes a record 672 goals for FC Barcelona, 115 for the Argentine national team, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain, and 81 since joining Inter Miami. 

While the individual achievement further cements his status as one of the greatest to ever play the game, the collective disappointment of a continental exit leaves Miami to focus solely on their domestic MLS campaign for the remainder of the spring.

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