Lionel Messi Breaks Barcelona Scoring Record
Lionel Messi, widely considered to be the best footballer of this era, broke Barcelona's all-time scoring record by netting a hat trick to push the defending Spanish champions to a 5-3 win at home over Granada on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Messi tied the record 232 goals in the 17th minute after he finished a cross by Isaac Cuenca. The former record of 232 goals was set by Cesar Rodriguez 57 years ago.
Messi then put two more past the keeper after the half, bringing his career goal total at Barcelona to 234, needing just under eight seasons to accomplish his feat. He also holds the record for the youngest player with the most goals.
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''He is defining an era. He is the best,'' Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdez said of his teammate.
There was some controversy surrounding the record. Barcelona had thought that Cesar Rodriguez scored 235 goals his 13 seasons with the club. But after a thorough review by Barcelona and La Vanguardia newspaper, Rodriguez's official goal total was decreased by three goals.
Messi is a 3-time world player of the year and so far this year has netted 54 goals in all club competitions this season. That includes a record five in Champions League play only two weeks ago.
During the Argentine's international career he has scored 154 goals in the Spanish league, 49 in the Champions League, 19 in the Copa del Rey, eight in the Spanish Supercup, four in the Club World Cup and one in the European Supercup, according to The Guardian.
"If he carries on like this he will set records that no one will ever break, ever again," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said.
"And he doesn't just score goals, he scores golazos … If there is a player who plays with zero adornments, it is Leo. I've never seen a stepover from him, or a [pointless] flick: he is the ultimate in effectiveness," added Guardiola.
