Lionel Messi averages a goal every 1.16 games with 643rd from 748 matches
- Lionel Messi has continued to set and shatter records for close to two decades now
- The Argentina legend has now equalled Pele’s record of the player with most goals for a club
- Messi's goals have come in 748 matches, an average of one every 1.16 games
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!
Lionel Messi has now scored 643 goals in Barcelona colours to equal legendary Pele’s record for the players with most goals for a club in football history.
The Argentine star who was playing his 738th official game against Valencia on Saturday, December 19, found the back of the net moments after his penalty was saved.
He headed home Jordi Alba’s cross to keep the Catalan giants in strong contention for the La Liga title in what could be his last season with the Catalan giants.
The goal means he has equalled Pele’s record which the Brazilian icon set in 1974 during his stint at local club Santos.
Messi's goals have come in 748 matches, an average of one every 1.16 games; Pele's came in 757 matches at one every 1.17 games. Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said:
"These figures are impressive, we will never have a player so effective at this club.
"That's why he is the number one. What he has done for this club, it's impressive."
Recall that the Argentine grabbed his 700th career goal in July during Barcelona’s two-all draw with rivals Atletico Madrid following a cheeky ‘Panenka’ penalty.
Source: Getty Images
Messi opened his goals account with Barcelona on May 1, 2005, as the La Liga champions defeated Albacete 2-0.
More than 15 years have passed since he opened his goal account with Barcelona.
In all, he has 680 goals in 801 appearances with Barcelona, if goals scored in 'unofficial' matches are also counted.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is comfortably the club's leading scorer, ahead of Cesar Rodriguez's 230 goals, as well as in the history of the Spanish Championship.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Lionel Messi has reportedly accepted to halve his £750,000-a-week wages to join Manchester City in the summer.
The Argentine submitted a transfer request during the summer but decided to see out the rest of his contract with Barcelona.
The 33-year-old is allowed to speak to a potential buyer in January and reports claim that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is ready to accept a wage cut to reunite with Pep Guardiola at City.
3 interesting footballing moments between Maradona and Nigeria | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
