40-Year Record Broken By Lionel Messi For Goals In A Year

Barcelona, Spain – A 40-year record was broken by Lionel Messi for most goals in a year. Before being broken, German soccer great Gerd Mueller’s record of 85 goals had stood the test of time, lasting for 40 years. According to the Washington Post, on Sunday, Argentine forward Lionel Messi scored twice to lead Barcelona to a 2-1 win at Real Betis in the Spanish league match, with the second left-footed finish the record breaker.

Nicknamed “The Flea” for his small stature and uncanny ability to slice through defenses, Lionel Messi has shattered several international soccer records this past year.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, back in November, Lionel Messi passed Pelé’s goal milestone of 75 goals in a calendar year. This event was proceeded by Messi earning his second golden boot by setting a Spanish league record with 50 goals.

Still, Messi likes to keep things in perspective and not let such niceties go to his head. He’s more about the team, not about the man.

This type of gentlemanly sportsmanship is too often missing from American athletes who like to hog the limelight.

“As I have said many times, the record is nice but the important thing is the victory that keeps us on the patch we want to continue on,” Messi said. “As I always say, my objectives are on a team level: to win the league, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey again.”

Lionel Messi has led Barcelona to the best start in the history of the soccer championship this season with 14 wins and a draw after the opening 15 rounds.

Besides breaking the 40-year record, Messi will also be given the opportunity to set the new watermark for most goals in a calendar year since he has three more games in which he can add to his record-setting tally before the end of the year.