Introduction
Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer who plays for Barcelona, is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time. His incredible skill and stunning goalscoring record have captured the hearts and minds of football fans around the world. In this article, we will explore the story of Messi’s career goals, from his earliest days in Rosario to his current place in football history. We will also delve into what makes Messi such a prolific goalscorer and compare his career tally to that of his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi’s Incredible Career Goalscoring Record: A Statistical Analysis
When it comes to Messi’s goalscoring record, there are few players who can even come close to matching his numbers. As of the end of the 2020-21 season, Messi had scored a staggering 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona, an average of 0.86 goals per game. In addition to his club goals, Messi has also scored 71 goals in 142 appearances for the Argentine national team, which brings his overall career tally to 743 goals.
When broken down by competition, Messi’s greatest success has come in La Liga, where he has scored 474 goals in 520 games. He has also scored 120 goals in the Champions League, 53 goals in the Copa del Rey, and 14 goals in the Supercopa de Espana. Messi’s international goals have come in a variety of competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, Copa America, and World Cup matches.
Compared to other footballing greats such as Pele and Diego Maradona, Messi’s goalscoring record is staggering. By the age of 30, Pele had scored 619 goals in 620 games, while Maradona had scored 326 goals in 682 games by the age of 31. Messi, who turned 34 in June 2021, has already surpassed both of them in terms of career goals.
From Rosario to Barcelona: Tracing Messi’s Journey to 700 Career Goals
While Messi’s goalscoring success is now well-known, it is worth taking a step back to understand how he got to this point. Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina in 1987 and began playing football at a young age. He caught the attention of scouts from Argentinian club Newell’s Old Boys, but it was Barcelona who ultimately signed him to their youth academy at the age of 13.
Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2004 at the age of 17 and quickly showed his incredible talent on the pitch. He scored his first goal for the team in May 2005 and has been scoring at an incredible rate ever since. Along the way, he has won numerous awards and accolades, including six Ballon d’Or titles, four Champions League titles, and ten La Liga titles.
Top 10 Goals of Messi’s Career So Far
One of the most enjoyable aspects of following Messi’s career has been watching the stunning goals that he has scored along the way. It is difficult to choose just 10 of his best, but here are some that stand out:
- That Goal vs Getafe
- Maradona-esque Solo Goal
- The Chip Goal vs Real Betis
- The Free-Kick vs Liverpool
- The Volley vs Malaga
- The Late Winner vs Real Madrid
- The Curler vs Atletico Madrid
- The Chip Goal vs Athletic Bilbao
- The Strike vs Atletico Madrid
- The Individual Goal vs Athletic Bilbao
Each of these goals is a testament to Messi’s incredible talent and his ability to do things on the pitch that few others can.
Messi vs. Ronaldo: Who Has More Goals?
When it comes to comparing Messi’s and Ronaldo’s careers, one of the most frequently discussed topics is their goalscoring records. While both players have scored a staggering number of goals, Messi has the edge in terms of overall career tally. As of June 2021, Messi had scored 743 career goals, while Ronaldo had scored 674 goals.
However, the two players have taken different paths to reach their goalscoring numbers. Messi is known for his incredible dribbling skills and his ability to create chances for himself and his teammates. Ronaldo, on the other hand, is a more traditional striker who often plays as a center forward and relies on his speed and strength to score goals.
Despite their different styles of play, both Messi and Ronaldo have proven themselves to be among the greatest goalscorers of all time.
What Makes Messi Such a Prolific Goalscorer?
While there is no single answer to this question, there are a few key factors that have contributed to Messi’s incredible goalscoring record. First and foremost is his incredible talent and skill on the ball. Messi is one of the most technically gifted players in the world and can create chances for himself and his teammates out of nothing.
In addition to his skill, Messi also possesses remarkable speed and agility. He is able to change direction quickly and evade defenders with ease, which often allows him to find space in front of goal.
Finally, Messi has an incredible work rate and a fierce competitive spirit. He is always looking to improve his game and push himself to be the best player he can be.
A Look Behind the Numbers: What Messi’s Career Goals Mean for His Legacy
While Messi’s goalscoring record is certainly impressive, it is just one part of his incredible legacy as a footballer. Messi has had a profound impact on the sport of football and has inspired countless young players around the world.
His unique playing style, which combines incredible skill and technical ability with a selfless team mentality, has set a new standard for what is possible on the pitch. Messi has redefined what it means to be a great footballer and has earned the respect and admiration of fans and players alike.
700 and Counting: What’s Next for Messi’s Goalscoring Quest?
While Messi has already achieved more than most players could ever dream of, he shows no signs of slowing down. With the 2022 World Cup on the horizon, Messi will be looking to lead Argentina to glory and add more goals to his already impressive tally.
In addition to his international goals, Messi will also no doubt be looking to add to his club tally at Barcelona. Whether he stays at the club for the remainder of his career or moves on to a new challenge, Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time is secure.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s career goalscoring record is nothing short of incredible. With over 700 goals to his name, he has proven himself to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. However, Messi’s legacy is about much more than just his goals. He is a player who has revolutionized the sport of football and inspired countless fans around the world. As we look to the future, it will be exciting to see what new milestones and accomplishments Messi will achieve as he continues to break records and cement his place in football history.