Ronaldo 22 goals from 1,000; Messi needs 77 as race continues

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Inter Miami fell 2-1 at home to Toronto FC on Saturday, extending a losing streak that has reached five defeats in its last five matches. Lionel Messi scored in the game, taking his tally with the Major League Soccer club to 90 goals in 104 appearances. The goal pushed Messi's career total to 923, according to the source. The 39-year-old Argentine forward now needs 77 more goals to reach the 1,000-mark across his professional career. Cristiano Ronaldo, playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, scored on February 21 to lift his career total to 978. The 41-year-old Portuguese captain is 22 goals short of the same milestone. According to the source, Ronaldo has registered 50, 35 and 30 goals over his three most recent Saudi league seasons. A comparison by AS found that Messi historically averages a goal more quickly per match than Ronaldo. The source noted that if Messi maintains his scoring rate, the race to 1,000 goals could stay competitive. The two players continue to score at strong but differing paces in the later stages of their careers, with Ronaldo the closer of the two to the symbolic threshold.