8 records of legendary players that Lionel Messi has broken

Remember the time when records used to be hard to break? Not anymore it seems. After the ascent of one Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini in the world footballing arena, records have tumbled faster than a set of dominoes in the face of repeated hammer blows.After grabbing his 32nd hat-trick in Spanish football during Barcelona’s 6-1 drubbing of Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, Messi now possesses the most number of hat-tricks in Spanish football and also the La Liga.These records, however, are just a few of the considerable number of honours in the magical Argentine’s kitty. On his way to becoming the player he is today, Messi has tumbled records left right and centre.Just to present the idea of how dominant Messi has been since starting his career, here’s a comprehensive list of Lionel Messi’s records which were previously held by some of the legends of the game.What makes it even more special is that the Argentine is just 27, and perhaps has the best part of his career still ahead of him.

#1 Alfredo Di Stefano All-time top scorer in El Clasico

When it comes to El Clasico, there is hardly any other football tie that gets bigger than that, not just in Spain but the whole world. The age old bitter rivalry has seen some of the most intense matches, graced by some of the true legends of the game.

The conflict between Real Madrid and Barcelona defies the dimensions of any regular footballing rivalry. And the honour to score in any of these matches is considered as a divine honour in football.

Lionel Messi, himself, holds the high honour of being the top scorer in El Clasico’s since its inception. Messi’s 21 goals scored in El Clasico eclipses fellow Argentine great Alfredo Di Stefano’s 18 for Real Madrid.

Stefano, who has been touted by the likes of Pele as the ‘most complete footballer to have ever played the game’, held the record until the 2011-12 season.

#2 Gerd Muller Most goals in a single season

Gerd Muller has always been considered as one of the most prolific strikers in football and earned him the nickname ‘Der Bomber’ or ‘the Bomber’. Muller has long been considered the forefather of modern day super strikers. The Bayern Munich and West Germany predator scored 365 goals in 427 German Bundesliga games during his playing career.

When the great German scored 67 goals in for Bayern Munich in the 1972-73 season, most pundits said that the record was there to stay and they were right. Well partially at the least.

Muller’s record stayed intact for almost 40 years before Lionel Messi decided to put the football in the goal 73 times in the 2011-12 season.

Relive all the goals.

#3 Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten and Cristiano Ronaldo Most Ballon d\'Ors won

Lionel Messi’s four Ballon d’Ors sees him standing one ahead of not one but three legendary footballers of the past.

The Argentine won the honour four years in a row in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, surpassing the likes of Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten in the process.

French legend Michel Platini won the honour in 1983, 84 and 85 while Cruyff bagged the award in 1971,1973 and 1974. Cryuff’s fellow Dutchman won the title in 1988,1989 and then again in 1992 playing for the legendary AC Milan team of that era.

In the current crop, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo also has three Ballon d’Ors to his name. Something tells us that this race is far from over. But with age on Messi’s side, it would be tough betting against the Barcelona no 10.

#4 Telmo Zarra All-time top scorer in La Liga

La Liga over the years has witnessed some of the most prolific scorers of all time. Few, however, have left a legacy as impressive as the late Telmo Zarra. The Spanish striker surprisingly missed out on the international stage, making only 20 appearances for the national team.

But to give an example of his scoring prowess, Zarra scored 20 times in his twenty games for Spain. The Spanish Basque striker who spent most of his career at Athletic Bilbao held the record for the most number of La Liga goals for 59 long years.

On November 22, 2014, Messi surpassed Zarra’s tally of 251 La Liga goals, and now has 273 goals to his name from 303 La Liga appearances.

Zarra still holds the record for the most goals scored in Copa del Rey with 81 goals in his bag compared to Messi’s 32 till date.

#5 Raul All-time top scorer in Champions League

When a player holds the record of the most capped footballer for a club like Real Madrid, there can be no questions about his status as one of the game’s all-time greats. Raúl González Blanco or Raul, as most football fans know him as, was a crowd favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu throughout his 16-year career for the Los Blancos.

The Spanish striker held the distinction of being the top scorer in UEFA Champions League before it became just another record to fall at the feet of one Lionel Messi. Raul scored 71 goals in 142 appearances in the Champions League but has seen his record surpassed by Lionel Messi and then Cristiano Ronaldo in quick succession.

Messi now has 75 goals in 93 matches with Cristiano Ronaldo hot on his heels with 73 from 110. This will be a race everyone will be looking forward to.

Relive some of his best goals scored in the Champions League.

#6 Luis Figo Most assists in La Liga

Besides being a terrific scorer, Messi is equally capable of setting his team-mates up for goals. The Argentine is now the top assist maker in La Liga’s history after overcoming Luis Figo’s 105 assists during his 336 League games for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Figo is considered one of the greatest players of his generation and one of the most creative players to have set foot on a football field. Figo remains one of the few superstars to have played for both Barcelona and Real with relatively equal success at both clubs.

Messi beat the record on his 300th La Liga appearance and now has 107 to his name.

Not just another goalscorer.

#7 Paulino Alcantara FC Barcelonas all-time top scorer

Paulino Alcantara made his debut for Barcelona in 1912 at the age of 15 years 4 months and 18 days and scored a hat-trick. The feat still stands till date and the Filipino striker is Barcelona’s youngest ever scorer till date.

But one record Alcantara couldn't hold onto was being Barcelona’s highest scorer of all time. Alcantara’s record of 369 goals for the Catalan club stood for eighty-seven years before finally being tumbled by Lionel Messi.

Messi scored his 370th goal for the club in all competitions including friendlies last year against Osasuna. The Argentine now has 406 goals in 495 matches for Barcelona in all competitions, including his time at Barcelona C and Barcelona B.

#8 Csar Rodrguez lvarez All-time top scorer in the Catalonia derby

César Rodríguez Álvarez is a Barcelona legend who spent most of his playing career spanning over two decades playing for the Catalan club.

Alvarez scored 232 goals in 351 club matches in his career and held the distinct record of scoring the most number of goals in Barcelona versus Espanyol matches.

Being local rivals, Barcelona and Espanyol matches are particularly intense and holds huge significance in Catalonia. The derby is popularly known as ‘The Derbi Barceloní’ in Catalonia and is considered Barcelona’s second most important fixture of the season after the El Classico.

Messi broke Alvarez’s record on 7th December 2014. Alvarez also held the record of most El Clasico goals by a Barcelona player with 14, before Messi overtook him.

Quite a legend of a player we have got here!