Lionel Messi signs new contract - Seven Deadly Stats from the Barcelona No. 10's club career

Aditya Devavrat 09:27 26/11/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • For a while there, some may have thought the unthinkable could actually happen. Lionel Messi reportedly rejected a contract extension in the summer, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season. The Barcelona legend, in another club’s colours?

    On Saturday, club and player finally came to an agreement, with Messi signing an extension that will keep him at Barcelona until 2021. It allows the Argentinian to further cement his legacy at the only club he’s ever known.

    Here are Seven Deadly Stats from Messi’s Barcelona career so far…

    GOAL MACHINE

    A top forward who’s made just over 600 appearances for his club would be delighted with, say, 300 to 350 goals in that time. But Messi has redefined what it means to be a top forward. 523 goals in 602 appearances is an unreal record. It’s hard to imagine anyone hitting that sort of strike rate again.

    ALL-TIME LA LIGA TOP SCORER

    Of course, when you’re scoring 523 goals for your club, you’re bound to be breaking numerous records along the way. Messi’s 361 La Liga goals is the record for the competition. Is he going to break the 500 mark by the time he’s done?

    CLASICO SPECIALIST

    You could be the greatest player in your club’s history, but it would still mean a little less if you couldn’t perform against the club’s biggest rivals. Messi has no such concerns – his 24 goals against Real Madrid are the most in El Clasico history, for either team.

    WHO’S GOING TO PAY HIS RELEASE CLAUSE?

    The new contract sees Messi’s release clause go from €300million to a whopping €700million. That’s enough for three Neymars – with some spare change left over, in case there’s a promising €30million player around.

    HAT-TRICK RECORD: GUNNING FOR RONALDO

    Messi has 40 career hat-tricks, 36 of which have come for Barcelona. He and his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, each have seven in the Champions League, which is the current record. But in La Liga, Ronaldo holds the record at 32. Messi’s only four behind. His first Barca hat-trick famously came as a teenager against Real Madrid, in 2007.

    BEST SCORER, BEST PLAYMAKER

    Back to that goals-to-game ratio: what would we say about 234 goals in 602 games? Not bad – a little less than a goal every two games, which, for a No. 10, is a very good record.

    How about 234 assists in 602 games? That’s what Messi’s done. Yet again, an unbelievable number. And for anyone who’s keeping count, that means he’s been directly involved in 757 goals during his Barcelona career – so, more than a goal or assist per game.

    Messi, the assist king.

    Messi, the assist king.

    BARCELONA’S MOST SUCCESSFUL PLAYER

    Messi made his Barcelona debut in 2004. Since then, he’s won La Liga eight times and the Champions League four times. His overall trophy count? 30, which puts him atop the club’s all-time list, along with Andres Iniesta.

    Messi and Iniesta top Barcelona's honours list.

    Messi and Iniesta top Barcelona’s honours list.

    Recommended