5 landmarks awaiting Lionel Messi in 2020

#4 Win a record 7th Pichichi award

Messi won his third consecutive Pichichi award (top-scorer in a Liga season) by scoring a league-best 34 goals as Barcelona won their 4th Spanish top-flight title in 5 seasons. In the process, Messi tied Telmo Zarra's 1952-53 record of most Pichichi awards (6) won by a player.

Messi won his first 3 Pichichi awards in 2009-10, 2011-12, and 2012-13 respectively.

With Messi netting 13 goals in as many Liga games in 2019-20 and topping the Liga scoring charts before the winter break, the Barcelona and Argentina captain could win a record-7th Pichichi award at the end of the season.

#5 Win his first senior international title with Argentina

With a rather dismal return of 1 goal in 6 Copa America games as Argentina lost to eventual winners Brazil in the 2019 semifinals, the 2020 Copa America represents perhaps Messi's final realistic opportunity to win his much coveted first senior international trophy for the Albiceleste.

Despite his fabulous records and trophies in club football, Messi has largely struggled to replicate that form for the national team. The Barcelona captain has fallen short in two Copa America finals, and also the World Cup final, with Argentina.

You may also like: Who has been the more prolific scorer in 2019 - Lionel Messi or Robert Lewandowski?

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

Know More

Edited by Musab Abid