Lionel Messi added another record to his fantastic collection on Wednesday, as the Barcelona forward equalled Real Madrid legend Raul’s Champions League scoring record against Ajax, with 71 goals.
The pint-sized attacker came into the match third on the all-time ranking behind Raul and Cristiano Ronaldo, needing a brace to tie the highest total in tournament history.
He did just that, scoring in the 36th and 76th minutes.
His first goal came late in the first half. Jasper Cillessen made the mistake of leaving his line too soon, and the advanced Marc Bartra beat him to the ball, lofting it into the box where Messi was waiting to head home.
His second came from a sliding finish after a ball lovely in from Pedro, etching his name in the history books.
Recent form suggested the record would be equalled on Tuesday when Ronaldo had the chance to equal the record himself but failed to score in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Liverpool, giving his eternal rival a chance to make history first.
The Portugal international will still be eyeing the record, and with both forwards in the prime of their careers, fans will get to witness the two titans go head-to-head as they attempt to better each other for the foreseeable future.
Messi drew first blood on Wednesday, however, and he will forever be known as the first player to equal Raul’s impressive record of 71 goals.
Lionel Messi’s outstanding records list:
Messi World Records
- Most FIFA Ballon d’Or awards: 4
- Only player to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi trophy and Golden Boot in the same season: 2009/10
- Guinness World Records title for the most official goals in a calendar year: 91 goals (2012)
- Most goals in a calendar year (including club friendlies): 96 goals (2012)
- Most international goals in a year (club and national team): 25 goals (2012) (shared with Vivian Woodward & Cristiano Ronaldo)
- Most goals scored in FIFA Club World Cup: 4 goals (shared with Denilson and Mohamed Aboutrika)
- Most consecutive league matches scored in: 21 matches (33 goals)
- First footballer ever to score consecutively against all teams in a professional league
Messi European Records
- Most European Golden Shoe awards: 3 (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo)
- Most goals scored in a season (club): 73 goals
- Most goals scored in a year (club): 79 goals
- Most European Cup top scorer awards: 4 (shared with Gerd Müller)
- Most hat-tricks in UEFA Champions League: 4 hat-tricks
- Highest scorer in a UEFA Champions League game: 5 goals (shared with Luiz Adriano)
- Only player to score in 22 different cities in the European Cup
- Only player to finish Champions League top scorer in 4 consecutive seasons (2008/09 – 2011/12)
- Most goals scored in Champions League history: 71 goals (shared with Raúl)
Messi Spanish Records
- Most away goals scored in La Liga history: 107 goals
- Most goals scored in La Liga in a season: 50 goals
- Most La Liga hat-tricks in a season: 8 hat-tricks
- Most goals scored in the Supercopa de España: 10 goals
- Youngest player to score 200 La Liga goals: 25 years
- Most consecutive La Liga matches scored in: 21 matches 33 goals
- Most goals scored in El Clásico matches: 21 goals
- First footballer to score more than 25 goals in five consecutive La Liga seasons (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo)
Messi Barcelona Records
- All time Barcelona top scorer in all games: 393 goals
- All time Barcelona top scorer in official competitions: 365 goals
- Barcelona top scorer in La Liga: 250 goals
- Barcelona top scorer in UEFA Champions League: 71 goals
- Barcelona top scorer in European competitions: 72 goals
- Barcelona top scorer in international competitions: 76 goals
- Most hat-tricks in official competitions for Barcelona: 26 hat-tricks
- Most hat-tricks in La Liga for Barcelona: 19 hat-tricks
Messi Argentina Records
- Most goals scored in a year (national team): 12 goals (shared with Gabriel Batistuta)
