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.
After scoring 523 goals in 602 games for @FCBarcelona, Lionel Messi has extended his contact at the club. Hopefully now, he’ll finally realise his potential.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 25, 2017
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?
#OnThisDay in 2014, The legend #Messi scored a hat-trick & became THE ALL-TIME TOP SCORER in LaLiga history by firing Barcelona to a resounding 5-1 win at home to Sevilla. #WeAreMessi pic.twitter.com/ajXrqDtzQ9
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) November 22, 2017
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.
DID YALL FORGET WHAT HE DID TO MADRID IN THE CLÁSICO?!?!?! 🥇#Messi pic.twitter.com/Z4QQwAROaD
— YEPZ🌴 (@_mryepez) October 23, 2017
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.
FYI @celticfc Lionel Messi's new buy out clause is €700m
— Deluded Brendan (@DeludedBrendan) November 25, 2017
I'll leave it with you but he'd make great back up for Griffiths and Dembele
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.
"THIS IS THE GAME THAT IS GOING TO BE REMEMBERED AS THE LIONEL MESSI MATCH, NINETEEN YEARS OF AGE... HE GETS A HAT-TRICK!" pic.twitter.com/Kj8kja4bB5
— Lionel Messi (@MessiTweets_) November 15, 2017
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.
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.