Messi stuck on 899 goals after 0-0 Miami draw at Nashville

Nashville, Tenn. – Lionel Messi’s march toward the historic 900-goal mark stalled on Wednesday night as Inter Miami battled Nashville SC to a scoreless stalemate in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie.

The reigning MLS Cup holder traveled to Geodis Park hoping to give its superstar forward a milestone moment, but a resolute Nashville back line kept the visitors at bay for 90 minutes. The result leaves Messi stranded on 899 career goals across club and country, a tally that now stretches into the return leg at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami, making its debut in the revamped continental competition, created the clearer chances throughout the night yet could not find a breakthrough. Nashville, buoyed by a raucous home crowd, defended in numbers and rode timely interventions to preserve the clean sheet.

With the tie level at 0-0 ahead of the second leg, Miami will still fancy its chances of advancing, though the wait for Messi’s 900th goal will extend at least a few more days. The return match will determine which side moves one step closer to regional supremacy.