Lionel Messi hits 911 career goals as crypto world watches his path to 1,000
The greatest goal scorer of his generation inches toward a historic milestone, but his complicated history with crypto endorsements tells its own story.
Share
Add us on Google by Editorial Team Jun. 9, 2026Lionel Messi now has 911 career goals to his name. That number leaves him exactly 89 goals short of becoming the first player in football history to reach the 1,000-goal mark.
The Argentine legend, currently plying his trade at Inter Miami, reached his 900th career goal on March 18, 2026, in a match against Nashville SC. He’s added 11 more since.
From the pitch to the blockchain
Back in March 2022, Messi signed a deal worth over $20 million to promote Socios.com, the fan token platform that let supporters buy digital tokens tied to their favorite clubs.
AdvertisementHe also promoted WaterCoin (WATER), a Solana-based memecoin. That endorsement led to a significant short-term price spike.
None of Messi’s recent scoring milestones have triggered any measurable reaction in the crypto markets. No token pumps. No viral partnerships. The silence is the most interesting part of this story.
Inter Miami’s quiet retreat from crypto
Inter Miami once featured crypto firm XBTO as a jersey sponsor. Ahead of the 2024 season, Inter Miami replaced XBTO with Royal Caribbean Cruises.
What this means for crypto investors
During 2021 and 2022, celebrity crypto deals were a leading indicator of retail enthusiasm. Tom Brady promoted FTX. Matt Damon told us fortune favors the brave. Messi signed his $20 million Socios deal.
The absence of similar deals around Messi’s current milestones suggests the playbook has changed. Crypto companies are either spending less on celebrity marketing, or athletes and their management teams have become more cautious after watching several high-profile partnerships end in lawsuits and reputational damage.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
