Lionel Messi scores 900th career goal as Inter Miami hosts Nashville in Champions Cup decider

Milestone arrives in Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second leg in Fort Lauderdale

Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his senior career during Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 series against Nashville SC, reaching the landmark in the second leg played Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

The goal came early, in the seventh minute, as Inter Miami sought to break a tie that had remained scoreless after the first leg. Nashville and Inter Miami drew 0-0 on March 11, 2026, in Nashville, leaving the two-leg series without an advantage heading into the return match in South Florida.

Context: a tight series after a scoreless first leg

The first leg at GEODIS Park ended without goals, with Nashville limiting Inter Miami’s attacking output and the visitors leaving the match still one goal short of Messi’s 900th. The stalemate placed added emphasis on the second leg, where the series required a decisive result to determine which club advanced to the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

Wednesday’s match also continued a recent run of high-stakes meetings between the teams across competitions. Since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, Nashville has repeatedly faced Miami in prominent fixtures, including knockout matches and tournament play.

What the “900 goals” mark represents

Messi’s 900th career goal is a cumulative milestone spanning club and international competition. The tally reflects his scoring across multiple teams and tournaments over nearly two decades at the top level of the sport, including long spells in European club football before moving to Major League Soccer, as well as extensive contributions for Argentina.

Messi’s 900th was scored against Nashville SC in the Champions Cup Round of 16 second leg, seven minutes into the match.

Key verified facts at a glance

• Competition: 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, Round of 16.
• First leg: Nashville SC 0, Inter Miami 0 (March 11, 2026, GEODIS Park).
• Second leg venue/date: Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale (March 18, 2026).
• Milestone moment: Messi’s 900th career goal, scored in the 7th minute of the second leg.

The Champions Cup is the region’s premier club competition and serves as a pathway to later international tournaments. Inter Miami entered the 2026 edition with heightened expectations after domestic success, and the Round of 16 matchup with Nashville became the stage for one of the most numerically significant moments of Messi’s career.