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Ligue 1 | Gameweek 30

Apr 8, 2023 at 8pm UK

Stade Municipal du Ray

Nice
0 - 2
PSG

Thuram (88')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Messi (26'), Ramos (76')

Lionel Messi records 1,000th goal involvement, passes Cristiano Ronaldo landmark

By Ben Sully | 09 April 2023

Messi records 1,000th goal involvement, passes Ronaldo landmark

Lionel Messi records 1,000th goal involvement and passes Cristiano Ronaldo's European goal landmark in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 win over Nice.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi reached 1,000 goal contributions and passed Cristiano Ronaldo's European goal landmark in Saturday's 2-0 away win over Nice.

After losing consecutive games, PSG returned to winning ways at the Allianz Riviera to get their title bid back on track.

Messi got the French champions up and running in the 26th minute when he swept the ball home from Nuno Mendes's low cross.

The opener represented his 702nd goal in European club football, surpassing the 701 European goals that have been scored by his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The first-half strike also represented Messi's 30th goal in a PSG shirt, after scoring 672 times for his former club, Barcelona.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal on March 23, 2023 © Reuters

The World Cup winner went on to play a key role in PSG's second goal to bring up another significant landmark in his glittering career.

Messi's outswinging corner was powerfully headed home by Sergio Ramos, taking the Argentine to 1,000 goal contributions in club football.

To go with his 702 goals in his club career, Messi has registered 298 assists during his time with PSG and Barcelona.

Messi's starring role in Saturday's victory on the French Riviera helped PSG maintain their six-point gap at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos celebrate after the match on February 19, 2023 © Reuters

However, his future at the French giants remains shrouded in uncertainty, with his contract set to expire in the summer.

While the Argentina international could still opt to sign a new deal with PSG, he is being linked with a return to his Barcelona.

A recent report claimed that the Catalan giants are considering whether to ask their squad to take a wage cut to help their chances of re-signing their club legend.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal and MLS franchise Inter Miami have also been touted as potential destinations for the 35-year-old.

Messi will next be in action when PSG welcome second-placed Lens to Parc des Princes on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash.