Goal No. 900 for Lionel Messi further proves he's a more efficient scorer than Cristiano Ronaldo 

Regardless, the loss shouldn't spoil Messi's milestone, nor should it overshadow the fact that he reached it much faster than Ronaldo did. 

Ronaldo is the only other active player with 900 goals or more (965). It took him 1,236 matches to reach the 900-goal mark. Messi, meanwhile, reached that figure in 1,142 matches.

That further proves Messi is a more efficient scorer than Ronaldo. The Argentine's goal rate scored per 90 minutes for his domestic league career is 0.96, and for his national team career, it is 0.72. For the Portuguese, his domestic league rate is 0.88, and his national team career rate is 0.76. Tally those together, and it's 0.84 for Messi and 0.82 for Ronaldo. 

Ronaldo, of course, could become the first footballer to score 1,000 goals, but he must find a club first. The 41-year-old remains a free agent. Messi, meanwhile, is under contract with Inter Miami through the 2028 season. The 38-year-old could chase the 1,000-goal mark, but it's unlikely he'll reach it.

Messi hasn't scored 50 goals or more since the 2011-12 season. In his first three seasons with Miami from 2023-25, he logged 50.

Regardless, Messi beat Ronaldo to goal No. 900. That may make those wearing No. 7 jerseys squirm, and those wearing No. 10 jerseys smile.