Messi Denied 900th Goal in Inter Miami’s Tense 0-0 Draw vs. Nashville
Lionel Messi fell one goal short of a historic milestone when reigning Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by Nashville SC in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old Argentine superstar, who turns 39 in June, found himself tightly marked throughout the contest at GEODIS Park as defenders from both sides controlled proceedings after rain arrived following a scoreless first half. Messi had moved within touching distance of the 900th goal of his professional career only days earlier, but Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake produced a crucial save to deny him in the 57th minute from a right-footed shot inside the right side of the box.
Inter Miami keeper Dayne St Clair kept the score level in the 65th minute when he repelled a header from Nashville’s Reed Baker-Whiting, who rose to meet a cross from Cristian Espinoza. The result leaves the tie evenly balanced heading into the second leg, which Inter Miami will host next Wednesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi had reached 899 career goals last Saturday with his 80th strike for Inter Miami in an MLS victory over DC United. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner built the bulk of his extraordinary tally during 17 years at Barcelona, where he scored 672 goals. He added 32 more during his two-season stay at Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in 2023. His 115 goals for the Argentina national team complete the record that now stands at 899.
The milestone would have placed Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to reach 900 goals for club and country combined. Instead, the veteran forward returns home still chasing that landmark in a competition that carries significant weight for North American clubs.
This fixture marks the second time Nashville and Inter Miami have met at this stage of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. In 2024 the Florida side advanced 5-3 on aggregate, with Messi contributing goals in both legs of that earlier encounter. Inter Miami enter the tie as defending MLS champions and one of the strongest sides in the region, yet they were unable to break down a disciplined Nashville defence that limited them to limited clear chances.
The goalless outcome reflects the tight nature of the contest, where organisation and resilience prevailed over attacking flair. Inter Miami will now look to leverage home advantage in the return fixture to progress to the quarter-finals.