Ronaldo and Messi: The Race to 1,000 Goals

Former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder has expressed his views on the enduring rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, particularly as both players edge closer to the milestone of 1,000 career goals. Sneijder, who departed Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 as Ronaldo joined the ranks of the ‘Galacticos’ at Santiago Bernabéu, noted that Ronaldo has since scored an impressive 450 goals for the club, becoming their all-time leading scorer.

Ronaldo, having also played for Sporting, Manchester United, and Juventus, has netted 143 times for Portugal, bringing his total career goals to over 950. At 40 years old, he has made it clear that he will not retire until he reaches the four-figure mark.

Similarly, Messi shows no signs of slowing down, enjoying a remarkable season in Major League Soccer (MLS), where he clinched the MLS Golden Boot in 2025 and propelled Inter Miami to the Conference semi-finals in the playoffs. He has scored 42 goals this season and has amassed over 900 goals throughout his illustrious career.

Messi’s commitment to remain in South Florida until at least 2028 raises the prospect of him also reaching the 1,000-goal milestone. Sneijder predicts that both players will achieve this extraordinary feat. In a statement to AdventureGamers.com, he remarked, “I think that’s the next goal for both of them, 100%. Cristiano won’t stop before reaching a thousand goals. Messi has signed another two-year deal. He will definitely reach one thousand goals as well.”

He added, “It’s remarkable that we are still discussing this rivalry, with one in MLS and the other in Saudi Arabia. They are both colossal figures in football, now pursuing the common goal of 1,000 goals. Perhaps we should also count their assists to see who can reach 2,000 first.”

The debate regarding who reigns supreme between Messi and Ronaldo continues to captivate fans worldwide, and while opinions vary, Sneijder refrains from choosing a side. He commented on the iconic duo, who collectively hold 13 Ballon d’Or awards, stating, “For me, it’s always been a pointless argument because they are two completely different players. It’s akin to asking who is better, Johan Cruyff or Pelé? We shouldn’t compare them. They are both extraordinary. Since retiring, I’ve been asked this question so often that I tell people I vote for Messi half the time and for Ronaldo the other half.”

Looking ahead, both Messi and Ronaldo are expected to compete in the upcoming World Cup, making it possible for them to face off one last time on the international stage. Argentina will enter the tournament as defending champions, while Portugal aims to secure a global title that would complete Ronaldo’s extensive collection of accolades.

When asked about potential outcomes at the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Sneijder remarked, “It is so hard to say! Portugal has a very strong team and is one of the favorites, so I would say Cristiano Ronaldo has a stronger chance of winning the next World Cup compared to Lionel Messi. Argentina had a fantastic World Cup in Qatar, but they were somewhat fortunate as well. Overall, I believe Portugal is the stronger team.”

As it stands, Argentina has already secured their place in FIFA’s flagship event, with Messi expected to participate despite ongoing discussions about his potential international retirement. Portugal, on the other hand, is nearing qualification after upcoming matches against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia, with Ronaldo maintaining that a World Cup victory is not necessary for him to solidify his legacy.