The Argentine helped the Catalan giants win the LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España and subsequently emerged as Europe’s top goal-scorer, having found the net 51 times.
This means that the 31-year-old has scored 50 or more goals for club and country in eight of the last nine years, with his biggest goal haul being in 2012 when he netted a staggering 91 goals.
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A new year means new records to break and as we are just beginning, we take a look at some of the milestones that Messi is likely to achieve this year:
#1 Ryan Giggs’s one-club trophy haul
The little magician is only three trophies away from equalling a record held by Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, for the most trophies won at a single club.
Giggs has a record 36 trophies earned during his time at Old Trafford and Messi is only a few trophies away from sharing the top spot with the United winger.
While the 31-year-old is eager to win the UEFA Champions League with the Catalan giants for the first time since 2015, trophies like the UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, LaLiga and FIFA Club World Cup will also count.
#2 Most LaLiga wins
Messi will likely catch up to former Real Madrid and current Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ record of the most number of La Liga wins. The shot-stopper has achieved an incredible 334 victories in the Spanish league.
The Argentine is only 11 games away from equalling the record and 12 wins away from breaking it.
#3 Second most appearances for Barcelona
To say that Messi could become the player with the most appearances for Barcelona would be a stretch, considering the fact that Xavi Hernandez, who currently tops the list, has made 767 appearances for the Catalan outfit.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, on the other hand, currently sits in third place, having played 657 games for the LaLiga champions.
While Xavi’s record will take a few years to be broken, Messi can claim the second spot this year as he only has to make 18 more appearances in a Blaugrana jersey to surpass Andres Iniesta who has made a total of 674 appearances for the club.
#4 Sixth Golden Shoe and Pichichi
Judging by his thunderous performances this season, the Barcelona captain is well on his way to grab his sixth Golden Shoe, which would also be his third in a row, a feat no other player has achieved so far.
The Argentine broke the tie he held with Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo over the Golden Shoe last season.
Messi is also set to break Athletic Bilbao star Telmo Zarra’s record for the most Pichichi awards. The Argentine is only one Pichichi away from Zarra’s six, which he won between 1945 and 1953.
#5 Fifth Champions League; first as captain
Messi has been incredibly vocal about his desire to see Barcelona win their first UEFA Champions League title since 2015.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the Argentine talisman said, “The Champions League is always special for what it means and we would like to win it again. We have that dream.”
“It’s unique, special, the best thing to be playing for at club level. A totally different competition and we all want to win it.”
“I know the PSG players because I follow the French League. Juve are very strong and with Cristiano there, even more so. City play very colourful football. Bayern have risen again. It’s very difficult to pick one, because the Champions League is such a beautiful competition.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has won Europe’s top competition four times so far, but none of those were achieved as the team’s captain.
#6 400 LaLiga goals and 50th career hattrick
This milestone will undoubtedly be achieved this year, provided the Argentine maestro does not encounter any kind of injury.
Messi has already found the net 398 times in his LaLiga career so far and it will be no time until he celebrates an incredible 400.
The 31-year-old is also three goals away from reaching the 50th hattrick of his career and judging by his performances this season, he will get there very soon.
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