Lionel Messi reaches Cristiano Ronaldo goals landmark in Inter Miami vs Nashville – but suffers ‘sad’ cup exit

Lionel Messi became the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach 900 career goals with an early strike against Nashville in the Champions Cup – but Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano was left to rue an early exit from a competition the Herons had prioritized winning this season.

Messi rifled in the seventh-minute opener from inside the box in a game likely to prove Miami’s last at their Inter Miami Stadium, with their new Nu Stadium set to open on April 4.

But Argentinian winger Cristian Espinoza struck from close range 16 minutes from time as Nashville went through on away goals after the tie finished 1-1 on aggregate.

“Unfortunately, we were made uncomfortable for most of the match,” said Miami boss Javier Mascherano, praising his players while accepting responsibility for the defeat on a “sad night with a lot of disillusionment”.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: 900 goals

Al-Nassr and Portugal captain Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, is currently on 965 goals and wants to reach 1,000 before he retires.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was younger than Ronaldo when he reached 900, requiring 94 fewer matches.

Ronaldo dropped to his knees when he achieved the feat in a Nations League match against Croatia. “It seems like any other milestone,” he said at the time.

“But only I know, and the people around me, how hard it is to work every day, to be physically and psychologically fit, to score 900 goals.”

Brazil legend Pele is third on the all-time list with 765. Here’s how the modern greats stood when they scored their 900th goals.

Inter Miami vs Nashville: Champions Cup exit

Messi’s record of 16 goals in 12 games against Nashville represents the most the Argentina icon has scored against a non-Spanish club, but that will be little consolation for Miami’s failure to reach the quarter-finals against opponents who had one attempt on target during the second leg.

Former Tottenham, Real Madrid and Spain left-back Sergio Reguilon set up Messi’s goal but was forced off through injury during the first half.

“Once we got the goal, we knew Miami would throw everything they could at us,” said Nashville coach BJ Callaghan said.

“We just wanted to do everything we could to limit their chances.”

What’s next for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami? Fixtures, schedule

Inter Miami are next in action away to MLS leaders New York City on Sunday.

Mascherano had rested numerous players – including Messi – for the 0-0 league draw at Charlotte on Saturday in order to give his side the strongest chance of progressing in the Champions Cup.

They are third on seven points, with only City and Nashville – both on 10 points – taking more from the first four matches of the MLS season.