Lionel Messi nears 900-goal milestone as Inter Miami star returns from injury

Messi is one goal away from becoming just the second player to reach 900 career goals as Inter Miami get a boost with the return of Sergio Reguilón ahead of CONCACAF Champions Cup clash.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Lionel Messi's 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign with Inter Miami begins on Wednesday against Nashville SC, with the Argentine superstar needing just one more goal to reach the historic 900-goal mark. Ahead of the match, Inter Miami have received a major boost with the return of Spanish left-back Sergio Reguilón from injury. Reguilón, who joined the club in the offseason, has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in preseason but is now fit to make his debut.

Why it matters

Messi's pursuit of the 900-goal milestone is a landmark moment in his illustrious career, and Inter Miami will be hoping he can reach the landmark against a Nashville side that has conceded 15 goals to the Argentine in their 10 previous meetings. Reguilón's return is also a significant boost for Inter Miami as they begin their CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign, with the Spanish defender expected to provide stability and experience to the Herons' backline.

The details

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Reguilón has rejoined the squad and participated in training sessions over the past week, though he is more likely to come off the bench initially as he works his way back to full match fitness. Mascherano praised Reguilón's experience and importance to the team, saying the club was eagerly awaiting his return.

  • Reguilón sustained a Grade II sprain in his right knee on January 24 during a preseason match against Alianza Lima.
  • Reguilón returned to training with the Inter Miami squad last week and is now available for selection against Nashville SC on March 11, 2026.

The players

Lionel Messi

The legendary Argentine forward is one goal away from becoming just the second player to reach 900 career goals, a milestone only Cristiano Ronaldo has previously achieved.

Sergio Reguilón

The Spanish left-back joined Inter Miami in the offseason and has been sidelined with a knee injury since the preseason, but is now fit to make his debut for the club.

Javier Mascherano

The head coach of Inter Miami, who provided updates on Reguilón's recovery and fitness ahead of the CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Nashville SC.

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What they’re saying

“He feels good and is no longer dealing with any lingering effects from his injury. Obviously, it's now a matter of him finding his match rhythm through the minutes we give him. He's a guy with a lot of experience; he knows how this works, and the truth is we were eagerly awaiting his return. He is a very important player for our team.”

— Javier Mascherano, Head Coach, Inter Miami

“Making it to 900 goals is madness—it's incredible. Leo's numbers are astonishing, but as great as he is, the statistics are actually the least of it. What he brings to the game is so much more than just his stats. Hopefully, we can help him reach that 900-goal mark tomorrow; if he does, it will mean we played a good match.”

— Javier Mascherano, Head Coach, Inter Miami

What’s next

If Messi scores against Nashville SC, he will become just the second player in history to reach 900 career goals, joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive club.

The takeaway

Lionel Messi's pursuit of the 900-goal milestone is a testament to his unparalleled goalscoring ability, and Inter Miami's ability to welcome back a key player in Sergio Reguilón ahead of a crucial CONCACAF Champions Cup match highlights the depth and quality of their squad as they aim to win their first continental trophy.