The records that await Lionel Messi in 2021

First Published Jan 5, 2021, 3:05 PM IST

Lionel Messi is one of the legendary and greatest footballers of modern times. He hails from Argentina and has made a name for himself, playing at Barcelona. He holds ample records to his name and keeps scripting more with each passing game, as he looks forward to 2021.

<p>In case the question of the best footballer of modern time pops up, Argentina's Lionel Messi is the name that comes to one's mind, along with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Both have a rivalry with each other, while both continue to be the best in their own aspect.</p>

In case the question of the best footballer of modern time pops up, Argentina's Lionel Messi is the name that comes to one's mind, along with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Both have a rivalry with each other, while both continue to be the best in their own aspect.

<p>Messi, who has made a name for himself at Barcelona, holds diverse records to his name. Furthermore, he keeps scripting more with each passing game and every single goal he scores.</p>

Messi, who has made a name for himself at Barcelona, holds diverse records to his name. Furthermore, he keeps scripting more with each passing game and every single goal he scores.

<p>While he did script many in 2020, the new year, too, has some records in store for him. In the same light, here are the records he could attain in 2021.</p>

While he did script many in 2020, the new year, too, has some records in store for him. In the same light, here are the records he could attain in 2021.

<p><strong>Most appearances for Barcelona:</strong> Messi has so far played 750 matches for the Catalans. Meanwhile, he needs to play 18 more to get past the all-time record of playing the most matches for the club across competitions. The record is currently held by Xavi, who had played 767 games for the club.</p>

Most appearances for Barcelona: Messi has so far played 750 matches for the Catalans. Meanwhile, he needs to play 18 more to get past the all-time record of playing the most matches for the club across competitions. The record is currently held by Xavi, who had played 767 games for the club.

<p><strong>Most matches in La Liga for Barca: </strong>Besides the most matches for the club, Messi would also script the record of playing the most games for the Catalans in La Liga. So far, Messi has featured in 500 matches and needs just six more to surpass Xavi, who holds the record with 505 appearances. He could also become the sixth most capped player in the tournament's history by the end of the year, while the record for the same lies with Andoni Zubizarreta (622).</p>

Most matches in La Liga for Barca: Besides the most matches for the club, Messi would also script the record of playing the most games for the Catalans in La Liga. So far, Messi has featured in 500 matches and needs just six more to surpass Xavi, who holds the record with 505 appearances. He could also become the sixth most capped player in the tournament's history by the end of the year, while the record for the same lies with Andoni Zubizarreta (622).

<p><strong>Most titles with a club:</strong> As of now, Messi has won 33 titles with the Catalans and would aim for more. While he is already the most title-winning player at Barca, he would also look to go past the all-time record of 36, held by Ryan Giggs, who did so during his stint with Manchester United.</p>

Most titles with a club: As of now, Messi has won 33 titles with the Catalans and would aim for more. While he is already the most title-winning player at Barca, he would also look to go past the all-time record of 36, held by Ryan Giggs, who did so during his stint with Manchester United.

<p><strong>Most domestic golden boot: </strong>Messi has, over the years, proved himself as a goal-scoring machine, as he has won the golden boot for having finished as the top goal-scorer of the season. So far, he has won seven such honours and winning the eighth would allow him to surpass the all-time holder, Gerd Muller, who played for Bayern Munich.</p>

Most domestic golden boot: Messi has, over the years, proved himself as a goal-scoring machine, as he has won the golden boot for having finished as the top goal-scorer of the season. So far, he has won seven such honours and winning the eighth would allow him to surpass the all-time holder, Gerd Muller, who played for Bayern Munich.

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