For almost two decades, the world witnessed the rise of Lionel Messi at Barcelona – from wonderkid to super star to the best player in the world and possibly in football history. It is expected that the Argentine would retire at the Spanish giant as a legendary one-club man, so when the news of Messi leaving the club due to “financial and structural obstacles” was announced in early August 2021, it shocked the entire football world.
With the unimaginable news now cast in concrete, let us look at Messi’s incredible and unbeatable records at Barcelona. After four years developing in the club’s youth academy, Messi officially made his senior debut in 2004, and went on to play a total of 17 seasons and 778 games for Barcelona in all competitions. He scored 672 goals, an amazing average of 0.86 goal per game, and assisted a further 288, which means he was involved in 960 goals, an eye-popping 1.23 goal-per-game ratio. All these stats are Barcelona’s all-time records.
During his times at Barcelona, Messi also finished as La Liga’s top scorer seven times (2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20) and European’s top scorer six times (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2018/19). In total, he had 474 league goals, also a record, and 120 European goals, just behind rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s 134. Messi’s 26 goals against Real Madrid in the Clásico was also more than any other players in history.
Messi was also the most decorated player in Barcelona’s history, having won a record total of 35 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Rey, three World Club Cups, three European Super Cups and eight Spanish Super Cups. His outstanding and consistent performances on the field earned him a record six Ballon d’Or (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019).
The last one-club man Barcelona had was Charles Puyol. With the departure of Messi, Sergio Busquets is currently the only veteran that has spent his entire career in the club so far. Spanish football giants – the other being Real Madrid – are not particularly well-known for retaining their legendary players. Previously, the likes of Raúl González, Guti, Iker Casillas, Víctor Valdés, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta all moved on to play for other clubs during the twilights of their illustrious careers.
Where will Messi go next? For now, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City seem to be the likely destinations. Within three years, La Liga has lost its best ever players in Messi and Ronaldo. The Clásico may never be the same again, and so is the Spanish league. La Liga will probably need some time to recover its former shine.
8.8.2021
Best 100 Footballers in the World 