Barcelona has announced on Thursday that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi’s career with the club is over. The Argentinan striker will end his 20-year career with the club.
“Although an agreement has been reached between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi it cannot be formalized due to economic and structural obstacles. Faced with this situation, Lionel Messi will not remain linked to Barcelona. Both sides deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the club cannot come true.” According to the statement on the club’s website
The contribution to the club over the last 20 years is just immense and unmatchable. Messi has scored 672 goals in 778 appearances since his debut in 2004 with FC Barcelona. As a player, he has the most goals, the most appearances, the most titles with the club.
Top 10 Records of Lionel Messi with Barcelona
1. Lionel Messi is the only player in history to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi Trophy, and Golden Boot in the same season (2009/10).
2. Messi has scored 26 goals in El Clasico – the most ever in the history of the clash.
3. He has won the most Ballons d’Or (6) in football history. They came in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019.
4. Messi holds the record for youngest player to win three Ballon d’Or. He has won his third Ballon d’Or on January 9, 2012, when he was 24 years, 6 months, and 17 days old.
5. The Argentinian striker netted 91 official goals in 2012. This is the highest goals scored by any player in a calendar year in an official competition.
6. Messi has scored 48 hat-tricks for Barcelona, which is the most ever in club history.
7. Messi is Barcelona’s all-time record goalscorer with a staggering 672 goals to his name surpassing the 643 that Pelé scored with Santos between 1956 and 1974.
8. The 34-year-old has made 778 appearances for the club, 11 more than second-placed, Xavi Hernandez.
9. Messi holds the record for the longest scoring streak in the league. He scored 33 goals in 21 consecutive matches from matchday 11 to 34 in the 2012/13 league season.
10. Messi scored 73 goals in the 2011/12 season, which is the most goals scored by a player in a single season in all competitions. He netted 50 goals in the league, 14 in the Champions League, 3 in the Copa del Rey, 3 in the Spanish Super Cup, 1 in the European Super Cup, and 2 in the Club World Cup.
