The combined goal count of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is staggering, yet significant differences emerge when the details are examined closely. One of those differences favors Messi, who just reached 850 career goals, a milestone that Ronaldo achieved earlier, though with a positive twist for the Rosario native: he accomplished it in fewer matches. While Messi reached this total in 1,081 official games, it took Ronaldo 1,179.

If age is taken into account, the gap grows: Messi, at 37 years and 138 days old, surpassed this barrier sooner than Ronaldo, who hit the same milestone at 38 years and 210 days. Next up for Messi? Perhaps reaching 900 goals. Only time will tell if he achieves this, but his contract with Inter Miami gives him over a year to try.

Ronaldo’s Encrypted Message to Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of turning 40, and though he’s 92 goals away from the thousand mark, he acknowledges that he “can no longer think long-term”—an emotional statement as he reflects on the passing of time, a reality that even one of the world’s greatest players can’t ignore.

In his recent remarks, Ronaldo sent a veiled message to Lionel Messi, emphasizing that he’ll always be able to boast of being the most prolific forward in football history. “If I get to 1,000 goals, great. But even if I don’t, I am the player with the most official goals in history,” said the former Real Madrid striker, who, with 908 goals, still holds a lead over Messi’s 850, making him the second-highest scorer in football history.