Barca record-breaker Messi can now focus on Pele goal record
Published:After smashing a hat-trick in a 5-3 win over Granada on Tuesday night, Lionel Messi has become Barcelona’s all-time record goalscorer with 234, and is now a 12/1 shot to better the legendary Pele’s league goal total.
Messi’s extraordinary achievement at the Nou Camp comes during his eighth season as a player, and at just 24 years old, the Argentinian ousted previous record holder Cesar Rodriguez’ record with more than five full seasons in hand.
His record-breaking strike in the Granada win was the second of his eighth treble of the season, and priced at just 3/1 to notch three times yesterday, it was as short as any player has ever been to score a hat-trick.
Ever improving, Messi’s progression in the past three years alone has been astonishing, where he has managed to rack up 47 and 53 goal hauls, before already registering 54 strikes in a campaign that still has at the very least thirteen matches remaining.
Should he continue at his current scoring rate for the season, he would end this term with 249 total goals, though 153 of his career strikes to date have come in league competition.
Pele’s accomplishment of bagging 541 times in league matches remains a long way away, but should the diminutive forward keep going at his current rate, it is difficult to envisage him not at least coming close to disputing the tally in future.
Still only 24, his goalscoring record has improved every year for the past five seasons, and as his Barcelona side continue to challenge for La Liga honours, Messi will remain integral to their chances as the focal point and talisman of their side.
Barcelona are 5/1 to win the title in the La Liga odds, and Messi’s sensational scoring form will have to continue should they have any chance of justifying this price.
