Lionel Messi has achieved yet another incredible milestone in his legendary career, popping a header into the net against Sporting Gijon to secure his 40th goal of the season for Barcelona. In the process, Messi extended his record of consecutive seasons with at least 40 goals in all competitions.
Messi has now scored at least 40 goals in each of the last seven seasons – a grand total of 371 for Barcelona during that span – and that isn’t even counting the 37 goals he scored for Argentina.
To put that number into perspective, Pele’s longest (official) streak of 40+ goal seasons was five with Santos, while Real Madrid scoring machine Cristiano Ronaldo is in the middle of his sixth and can only tie it if he scores at least 40 next year.
In that time he has won four La Liga titles, two Copa Del Ray titles, two Champions League titles and four FIFA Ballon d’Or titles as well as five La Liga Player of the Year awards.
Messi still trails the incomparable Pele for the world record of club goals, but at his current rate, he could easily give the legendary Brazilian a run for his money before he hangs up the boots.
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