Share

Messi breaks European record

Barcelona - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi reached another milestone in his incredible career on Wednesday when he broke Gerd Mueller's 39-year-old record of 67 goals in a season for a European top-flight club.

The Argentine World Player of the Year netted twice from the penalty spot and once from open play to help Barca to a 4-1 win at home to Malaga, his 44th, 45th and 46th La Liga goals of the campaign taking his total in all competitions to 68.

Mueller set the record playing for Bayern Munich in the 1972-73 season and Messi has three more matches - two in La Liga and the King's Cup final - in which to add to his tally.

Messi's third of the night at a festive Nou Camp showcased his dazzling skills as he raced clear on to Andres Iniesta's pass, dinked the ball over the onrushing Carlos Kameni and tapped the ball into the empty net.

Clutching the match ball and with a typically shy expression on his face, he was congratulated by his team-mates as he strolled off the pitch at the end.

Still only 24, Messi is already Barca's leading scorer in official games with 248 goals, beating Cesar Rodriguez's 60-year-old record of 232 in March when he also became the first player to score five in a Champions League match.

He netted his first goal for the Catalan club on May 1, 2005 aged 17 years, 10 months and seven days in a La Liga game against Albacete at the Nou Camp after coming through the youth system with contemporaries Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique.

This season, as well as his La Liga tally, he has scored 14 goals in the Champions League, two in the King's Cup, three in the Spanish Super Cup, one in the European Super Cup and two at the Club World Cup.

He has 11 more than Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 43 in La Liga, 10 in the Champions League, three in the King's Cup and one in the Spanish Super Cup.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE