#Messi400
Lionel Messi created history once more in Barcelona’s 3–0 over Eibar on Sunday. His 53rd minute strike was his 400th goal in 435 La liga games, further extending his record as the Spanish league’s all-time top scorer.
In doing so, the Argentine has also become the first player to score 400 goals in a single league, 35 more than Gerd Müller who hit 365 in the German Bundesliga during the 60s and 70s.
The goal itself was one I’ve seen Messi score many times before, receiving the ball inside the box and then taking one touch to craft space and another touch to place the ball in the bottom corner.
Messi favours simplicity above extravagance which makes the way he plays the game that much more beautiful to me. He rarely engages in fancy footwork or speculative shots, preferring patience and choosing the option with the highest chance of success.
Almost every action he does on the pitch brings Barça closer to their objective of scoring a goal. The Argentine has perfected the art of footballing essentialism.
There are some who say the way Messi plays is boring, and this is understandable. In this modern technological age, most people’s brains are subject to constant overstimulation therefore the art of simple football has lost its appeal to many.
However, the statistics speak for themselves.
Messi is the best at what he does but even being the best individual does not guarantee success in football since it is a team sport after all .
As I reflect on his latest milestone, I’d like revisit some of the more spectacular goals he has scored on the road to 400.
1. His debut goal vs Albacete
2. Away to Zaragoza in 2010
3. Away to Athletic in 2013
4. Home to Cordoba in 2014
5. Away to Real Sociedad in 2018
Messi’s milestone is ridiculously impressive when you consider not only the number of goals he has scored but the calibre of opponents he has scored against.
The Argentine has netted a total of 88 goals against Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid and Valencia. Which means that he has scored just over 1/5th of all his league goals against Barcelona’s four biggest opponents in the last 10 years.
Messi’s record can be further quantified by other impressive numbers such as the fact he’s scored more La liga goals than 29 clubs in the division’s history.
Much of Messi’s career has been viewed in light of his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo who currently sits on 412 league goals across different divisions (Portugal, England, Spain and Italy).
But Messi took 435 games to reach the 400 goals milestone whereas Ronaldo took 498 games, both impressive achievements to me but I still believe Messi possesses that slight edge.
2019 has just begun and there is no doubt in my mind that many more records will tumble for Messi in the future.
