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Messi-Ronaldo rivalry
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Messi scored four goals for Inter Miami in a 7-1 win, reaching 927 career goals. He trails Ronaldo by 51 goals in the race to 1,000.
Background
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have defined football for nearly two decades, competing for goals, titles, and records. Their rivalry has resurfaced as both approach career milestones, with recent statistics showing Messi ahead in free-kick goals and the possibility of them playing together in Carlos Tevez's farewell match.
How it unfolded
- Aug 30, 2026Messi surpassed Ronaldo in free-kick goals, according to MARCA, highlighting his continued scoring prowess at age 39.
- Aug 31, 2026Messi announced his immediate retirement from the Argentina national team following their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
- Sep 5, 2026Reports emerged that Messi and Ronaldo could play together for the first time in Carlos Tevez's farewell match, though plans are in early stages.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Ronaldo remains the clear favorite to reach 1,000 goals first, but Messi's scoring consistency keeps the race interesting.
Still unverified
The possibility of Messi and Ronaldo playing together in Tevez's farewell match is based on reports and has not been confirmed by either player.