Ronaldo vs Messi: Can either reach 1,000 career goals before retirement? The stats are in

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The notion of a footballer scoring 1,000 goals in their career seems like a pipe dream. However, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both nearing this milestone, the question becomes more pressing. At 40, Ronaldo is still scoring at an impressive rate in Saudi Arabia, while 38-year-old Messi is dominating MLS. With Ronaldo needing 47 more goals to reach 1,000 and Messi requiring 108, their contract situations play a crucial role. Ronaldo has extended his deal with Al Nassr until 2027, while Messi has committed to Inter Miami until 2028. To analyze their chances, we've used their performance over the last three calendar years (2023-2025). Ronaldo has averaged around 45 goals per year, while Messi has averaged 33. We've then applied a realistic decline in performance, taking into account their age, to assess whether they can continue scoring enough to reach 1,000 career goals. Ronaldo's chances are boosted by his recent trend, with his three-year average giving him room to fall. He plays as a striker and penalty-taker in a high-scoring league, and his contract guarantees him a starting role. Even allowing for a significant decline, Ronaldo still has a good chance of reaching 1,000 goals if he stays healthy. Messi's situation is more complex. While he's been scoring at a high rate this year, his recent performance is lower than Ronaldo's. He needs to sustain or surpass his current goal-scoring level to reach 1,000, which is a tall order. Several factors make it less likely, including his role as a playmaker and finisher, his openness about the end of his career, and the natural decline that comes with age. In conclusion, Ronaldo is statistically well-placed to reach 1,000 career goals if he stays on the pitch until 2027. Messi, on the other hand, faces a much tougher task, requiring three more heavy-duty scoring seasons to reach the milestone.