Updated at 16.52
ON SATURDAY, LIONEL Messi scored a hat-trick for Barcelona (his 27th in total for the club) against Sevilla to become the top goalscorer in La Liga history.
Following this momentous occasion, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu called Messi the “greatest player in football history”.
Though Bartomeu may be somewhat biased in his views, he is far from the only person to label the Argentinian superstar as the best there ever was. With that in mind, here are 24 stats to support the assertion.
- 71 — Messi (along with Raul) is the top goalscorer in Champions League history. He could break the record by scoring against APOEL Nicosia tonight, while fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid is just one behind him on 70. Messi also has the most Champions League goals with a single club.
- 1 — He is the only player to be the leading scorer and leader in assists over a season (2011/12).
- 368 — He has scored more goals than any other player in Barcelona history.
- 91 — He has the most goals in a calendar year.
- 4 — He has the joint most European Cup top scorer awards (with Gerd Muller). He is also the only player who has been the Champions League top scorer for four consecutive seasons (2008/09-2011/12).
- 73 – He is the leading scorer over a season of official games.
- 4 — He is the only player to win the Ballon d’Or four times.
- 21 — He has the most consecutive goals in La Liga games.
- 8 — He has the most La Liga hat-tricks in a season.
- 1 – He is the only player to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi trophy and Golden Boot in the same season (2009/10).
- 24 – He is the youngest player ever to pass the 50-goal mark in the Champions League.
- 5 — He has the joint most goals in a single European game (along with Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano).
- 21 — He has the most goals in Clasicos. He has also scored more Clasico goals at the Bernabeu (12) than at the Camp Nou (9).
- 12 – He also has the most assists in El Clásico history.
- 2 — He is the first player to score two hat-tricks in El Clásico history.
- 18 — His goals in the 2014/15 season from 23 appearances.
- 35 – He is the leading La Liga scorer over a season in home games (2011/12).
- 4 — He has the joint most goals at the Club World Cup (with Denilson).
- 253 — He has scored the most La Liga goals (from 289 games).
- 1 — He was the first player to score a hat-trick against a team managed by Carlo Ancelotti.
- 50 – He is the leading scorer in a European league season (from 37 appearances) since the start of the Golden Boot and also the leading scorer in a La Liga season (2011/12).
- 14 — He became all-time leading scorer in a single Champions League season with 14 goals (2011/12) and jointly held the record with Milan’s Jose Altafina (1962/63) when the European Cup was taken into consideration. However, Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him last season with 17.
- 25 — He is the youngest player to reach 200 La Liga goals.
- 4 — He is only player to score four hat-tricks in the Champions League.
h/t @MessiStats, Lionel Messi Fan Club, BBC Sport, Bleacher Report, FC Barcelona,baracblaugranes.com.
A version of this piece was originally published on 24 March.
What do you think? Is Messi the greatest player in football history?
Was a very tough break as he was definitely well able to make birdie at the last for the play off but wasn’t really stolen from him to be fair. Straka played sensational golf when it counted from 14
@Anthony Ryan: Lowrys 3rd shot just wasn’t good enough when Strakas 2nd was. Lowry was amazing all day but Straka deserved it for me.
@Gary O’Rourke: don’t know if you have ever tried taking a golf shot during a Florida down pour but I am going to guess you haven’t . Lowry rushed but unlucky timing without a doubt . Straka got a drive away that Lowry didn’t have a chance to as the down pour had started in between their tee shots . Straka was brilliant and deserved it but luck also played a part no doubt about it .
Unfortunately had a poor tee shot on 18, otherwise flawless. Love Lowry, a class act. Superb weekend’s play.
Who doesn’t love this man, I could only imagine the scenes if he wins at Augusta
@Cranesofdublin: I don’t. I used to but not anymore.
@Paul Kelleher: Why is that Paul ?
If this was McIlroy, there’d be lads on here saying he’s a choker.
@Eoin McCarthy: hardly the same situation. Lowry didn’t have one bogey while in the lead group in the final round on a tough course
With an $872,000 prize for second I think he’ll be okay.
@feargal de cantuin: they are professionals and winning is everything ! Ok, the money helps lessen the burden.
You can see he left the rain get to him emotionally even before tee shot” as in why me” it’s something he has to work on because it holds him back ,look it was a bad break but that’s golf
@Jem Mehmet: He could do with someone like you on board. He might make it in golf one day. Here’s hoping.
Used to be a huge fan of Lowrys but I just cant warm to him anymore. His comments re the Saudi golf situation just did it for me. Was watching him last night but not really rooting for him. I wanted to but I just couldn’t. Cant help but feel he got a little bit of Karma with the downpour. For him to say the tournament was ‘stolen’ from him was ridiculous. Straka scored -3 over the last 5 holes while Lowry stayed even par. The back 9 on Sunday is when it really counts and he didn’t perform well enough. Straka had 4 shots in the rain while Lowry had 5 and he moans about it. After missing out on the win I dont know how he is going to put food on the table. I suppose there is alwsys SA! Seamus, Rory and Murphy to name a few are the ones I’m shouting for from now on.
Unlucky Shane…keep at it, doing us proud.
the article isn’t correct. Lowry wasn’t forced to lay up because of the rain, he was forced to layup because he hit a terrible drive pulling it way left into heavy rough. Strake played the back 9 brilliantly and was deserved winner.
But sure Lowry will have his appearance fee from the Saudi International to put food on the table so he’ll be fine.