Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have the clearer path in terms of distance. The 41-year-old continues to score for Al-Nassr, remains under contract until summer 2027 and has added 146 international goals to his club total after featuring at the 2026 World Cup.
His game has evolved, but the appetite for goals remains central to his role. Regular minutes in Saudi Arabia and a continued place in Portugal’s plans would give him a strong platform to complete the climb.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, is approaching the mark from a different angle. The 39-year-old has returned to Inter Miami after Argentina’s World Cup campaign and is committed to the MLS club until 2028. He has retired from international football with 125 goals in 207 appearances, leaving his remaining target dependent on club football.
Hislop believes the achievement would reflect more than personal longevity. “We've been treated to two players who have defined a generation unlike any other,” he said, describing a rivalry that has shaped modern football.
Former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi also believes Messi has enough time to reach the milestone, pointing to his Inter Miami contract and predicting that he could get there within three years. Wesley Sneijder, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate, has likewise identified 1,000 goals as the next target for both players.
Neither landmark is guaranteed, but both careers remain unusually well-positioned for the pursuit.
The next goals scored in Miami and Saudi Arabia will carry an extra layer of significance. The final chapter of this rivalry is no longer about who was greatest - it may be about whether both legends can make history together.