AI predicts how many goals Lionel Messi would’ve scored when Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 1000-goal milestone in 2028
AI has predicted Lionel Messi's goal tally when Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 1000th career goal, in August 2028. The 39-year-old last month became the first player to score 900 goals for club and country.
Ronaldo reached the landmark by scoring in Portugal's 2-1 UEFA Nations League opener at home to Croatia, coming off a rare goalless Euro 2024 campaign, where A Selecao had lost to France in the quarter-finals on penalties.
Since then, the Al-Nassr superstar has netted five more times for club and country, including a late winner in Portugal's 2-1 home win over Scotland at home three days after beating Croatia.
In an interaction with his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo expressed his desire to become the first player to score 1000 career goals. He had said:
"I want to reach 1,000 goals. If I don’t have injuries, this, for me, is the most important. I want that. It’s the best marker I can have in football."
While his scoring rate is expected to take a dip once he turns 40 in February next year, as per Casadeapustas Bet (via Sun), Ronaldo is expected to reach 1000 goals on August 15, 2028.
His arch-rival Lionel Messi - who's on 843 currently - is predicted to score 80 more times by then, reaching 923, assuming he continues playing till then, barring injuries or retirement.
It's pertinent to note that Messi (704) was within 33 goals of Ronaldo's tally in August 2020, but the gap now is 62.
How have Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fared this season?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - widely regarded as two of the best ever players to grace the beautiful game - are still going strong despite almost touching 40.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, has made a rousing start to his 2024-25 season with Al-Nassr - whom he had joined in December 2022 on a free transfer after two glorious decades in European football.
Following a 44-goal first full campaign in Saudi Arabian football last season, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored in eight of his nine games across competitions this season, tallying eight goals and three assists.
Meanwhile, Messi, 37, has had an injury-plagued first full season with Inter Miami, where he arrived last summer on a free transfer. Despite missing a lot of games due to injury, he has registered 19 goals and 12 assists in 21 games across competitions.
He won his second trophy with the Herons - the 2024 Supporters' Shield - marking his 46th title with club and country.