Lionel Messi can be called an expert in breaking football records in Spain . Before catching up with Pele in terms of team achievements, the Barcelona captain also defeated many legends such as Gerd Mueller, Alfredo di Stefano…
Messi biography
Lionel Messi (born June 24, 1987) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as a striker and is the captain of FC Barcelona and the Argentina national football team. Messi is considered one of the best players of all time and one of the best players in the world at the moment.
In the Argentina shirt, Messi is the number one goalscorer in his home country. At youth level, he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
His playing style has been compared to Diego Maradona; who described Messi as his successor. After his debut for the team in August 2005; Messi became the youngest Argentine player to compete; and scored at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and reached the final of the 2007 Copa América; where he was named best young player.
As captain of the team since August 2011; he led Argentina to three consecutive finals: FIFA World Cup 2014; where he won the Golden Ball; Copa America 2015 and 2016.
After announcing his retirement from international football in 2016; he changed his mind; and led his country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup; and finished in third place at the 2019 Copa America.
Messi’s records
Barca’s captain holds the record for the number of times he has won the Golden Ball (6). With such a great player; Lionel Messi continuously breaking world football records; It’s also not too difficult to understand. Last Saturday night; Messi contributed 1 goal for Barca; in a 2-2 draw against Valencia.
Thereby, this 33-year-old striker has caught up with a record that has existed for many years held by football king Pele. Specifically, he has 643 goals for Barca; since being promoted to Barca’s first team in 2004.
In the previous history of world football; Only one player has scored 643 goals in a single team’s shirt. That was Pele, when he played for Brazilian club Santos between 1957 and 1974. Notably, Messi only needed 748 matches to reach that milestone; while Pele needs 757 matches.
Pele is just the latest legend to be conquered by Messi. In January 2018, Messi surpassed “bomber king” Gerd Mueller to become the striker with the most goals in the top 5 European national leagues. Specifically, the Argentine superstar has 366 goals in La Liga; while Mueller scored 365 goals in the Bundesliga.
Worthy of being the king of football
That was the second time Messi surpassed senior Mueller. In 2012; The Barca striker scored 86 goals. Previously, this record belonged to Mueller when he had 85 goals in 1972.
Paulino Alcantara is also a legend who was once deposed by Messi. In March 2014, Barca’s captain scored 371 goals on all fronts for the Catalan team (including friendlies).
That achievement put him ahead of Paulino Alcantara; who has 369 goals for Barca. Also in 2014, specifically on November 22, Messi reached the mark of 253 goals in La Liga; surpassing the record of 252 goals held by former famous player Telmo Zarra.
Another big name in world football who has been surpassed by Messi is the legendary Alfredo di Stefano. Until Lionel appeared, the “Silver Arrow” was the Argentine player who scored the most goals in history with 514 goals.
However, Messi broke Di Stefano’s record a long time ago; when he now has 643 goals including the goal against Valencia last Saturday night. Obviously; Messi deserves to be called a living legend of world football!
