5 records Lionel Messi can break in the 2020-21 season

Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time

It's difficult to list the extraordinary accomplishments of Lionel Messi without running out of breath, as the attacker has achieved so much in his illustrious career.

The Argentine star's trophy cabinet is filled with a plethora of collective and individual honours. Additionally, he's also broken a staggering number of records along the way.

At 33, Messi is now in the twilight of his career and has only a few years left at the top. However, he isn't showing any signs of slowing down and is still a key player for club and country.

Here are five major records Lionel Messi could set this season, as he continues to produce the goods on all fronts.


#5 Joint most years played at Barcelona

Lionel Messi is now into his 17th season with Barcelona, most alongside Xavi and Rexach
Lionel Messi is now into his 17th season with Barcelona, most alongside Xavi and Rexach

Of all the active players, Lionel Messi is the second most 'loyal', having spent 16 years at Barcelona since making his professional debut for the club in 2004.

And now that he's opted to stay on for another season at the least, this marks his 17th with the Catalan giants, drawing him level with Xavi and Carles Rexach for the most official seasons played with the Blaugrana.

However, if rumours are to be believed, this might also be Messi's last season with the club. His contract expires next summer and given his strained relationship with the board, an extension appears unlikely as things stand.


#4 Most titles with a single club

With 34 trophies, Lionel Messi is just two behind Ryan Giggs for most titles with a single club
With 34 trophies, Lionel Messi is just two behind Ryan Giggs for most titles with a single club

Messi's illustrious career with Barcelona is laden with a multitude of silverware, winning 34 titles in 16 years, including two continental trebles.

He's the most decorated player in the club's history, having surpassed Andres Iniesta in recent years. Just two more trophies separate him from Ryan Giggs's record of most titles at a single club.

The Welsh legend lifted 36 trophies with Manchester United in a career spanning 24 years. So if Messi is to leave Barcelona next year, he may want to bow out after winning at least two more honours in the 2020-21 season.


#3 Eighth domestic Golden Boot

Lionel Messi is tied with Gerd Muller for most Golden Boots with seven
Lionel Messi is tied with Gerd Muller for most Golden Boots with seven

Real Madrid might have snatched the La Liga title away from Barcelona, but Lionel Messi didn't face much threat en route to lifting his seventh 'Pichichi' for being the most prolific scorer in the division with 25 goals.

That was his fourth consecutive domestic Golden Boot, as he also drew level with Gerd Muller for the most number of top-scorer awards in one of Europe's major leagues.

Given that there's little in the way of his opposition even now, the Barcelona star might well surpass the Bayern Munich legend's record and win his eighth Golden Boot by finishing as La Liga's most prolific once again this season.


#2 Most appearances for Barcelona

Lionel Messi is just 33 caps behind Xavi, the all-time appearance-maker for Barcelona
Lionel Messi is just 33 caps behind Xavi, the all-time appearance-maker for Barcelona

Despite playing for Barcelona for the last 16 years, Lionel Messi still isn't the player with the most appearances for the club. The distinction currently belongs to his former teammate and captain Xavi, who leads the way with 767 appearances in all competitions.

He left the club in 2015 and since then, the Argentine ace has been chipping away in the hope of one day surpassing the Spaniard. Presently, he's on 734 games for the Catalans and should be able to surpass Xavi by the end of the ongoing campaign.


#1 Most goals for a single club

Lionel Messi needs just nine more goals to beat Pele's record of 643 goals for a single club
Lionel Messi needs just nine more goals to beat Pele's record of 643 goals for a single club

Messi's phenomenal goalscoring record for Barcelona currently sees him at 635 goals in all competitions, the most in the club's history. And by some distance too.

While that's an incredible feat, the record for most goals for a single club is held by Pele, the Brazilian legend, who's scored 643 times for his native Santos.

Messi is just eight behind, and given the prolific rate at which he's still putting the ball into the back of the net, expect the Barcelona captain to surpass the tally within the few weeks, let alone the entire season.

Quick Links