Lionel Messi: What records does he hold?
Sunday 11 July 2021
Article summary
We all know he is a great player, but just how great? UEFA.com runs through his unique achievements.
Article top media content
Article body
One of only two players to score over 100 goals in UEFA club competitions, Lionel Messi is continuing to break new ground in football having become Argentina's most-capped player in their triumphant Copa América campaign.
UEFA.com lists some of his biggest achievements to date.
Club
- Most UEFA Champions League group stage goals: 71
- Most UEFA Champions League round of 16 goals: 28
- Most Ballon d'Or awards: 6
- Most Liga goals: 474
- Most Liga goals in a single season: 50 (2011/12)
- Most goals in a calendar year: 79 (2012 – or 91 including goals for Argentina)
- Most Liga hat-tricks: 36
- Most Liga titles won by a foreign player: 10
- Most ESM Golden Shoes: 6
- Most club honours: 35
Messi is also second behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the list of both top UEFA club competition scorers (he has 123, Ronaldo 137) and top UEFA Champions League/European Cup scorers (120 compared with Ronaldo's 134).
Messi vs Ronaldo goal for goalNational team
- Most Argentina caps: 151
- Most Argentina goals: 76
- Youngest Argentinian to score at a World Cup: 18 years 357 days
Messi is just one goal behind Brazilian great Pelé in the list of top scorers for all South American nations after leading La Albiceleste to victory at the 2021 Copa América.