Breaking down the figures behind the phenomenal Lionel Messi.
The Spanish media has reached fever pitch over its anticipation of Lionel Messi’s ten year anniversary as a Barcelona player, which will be marked when the club face Elche in La Liga this weekend, with the Argentine genius almost unarguably the best footballer in the club’s history and perhaps the finest that the planet has ever seen.
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We’ve broken down the numbers to show just what an incredible player Messi has been over the last decade:
284 La Liga appearances
Messi has made 284 La Liga appearances in the decade that has passed since he made his debut for the club, coming on for Portuguese midfielder Deco, a truly incredible figure for a player who is still only 27.
249 La Liga goals
Messi has scored a quiet incredible 249 La Liga goals for Barcelona – just two short of the long-standing record of Athletic Bilbao legend Zarra. Could he break it against Elche this weekend?
68 Champions League goals
Messi has an immense 68 Champions League goals to his name so far, just three behind Real Madrid legend Raul and one behind Cristiano Ronaldo – it will be a fine battle between the latter two to see who finishes up on top.
44 Argentina goals
Despite his performances for Argentina sometimes having been overshadowed by those he has put in for Barcelona, Messi still has an outstanding international record of 44 goals in 95 caps.
135 career assists
Messi does not just score, he also creates, having laid on a quite incredible 135 goals for teammates during his decade in the Barcelona first team.
26 hat-tricks
He may not quite have the absurd hat-trick bagging record of great rivals Cristiano Ronaldo, but the 26 that Messi has notched up in his career so far isn’t a bad return.
21 trophies
Messi has lifted 21 trophies with his club during his ten year career, including numerous Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey titles, making him one of the game’s most decorated players.
4 Ballon d’Or wins
Messi has been awarded the trophy for the best player in the world four times, just confirming his greatness and the standing in which he is held by the wider footballing world.