Barcelona have not enjoyed a successful year but that hasn’t stopped Lionel Messi continuing his brilliance with the Argentine forward smashing a host of records this term
Lionel Messi may not have added another La Liga title to his honours list but it has still been an impressive year thus far.
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The Argentine has still been able to produce in what has been a mediocre season for the Catalan giants.
A change of manager at the Nou Camp led to plenty of internal politics with Messi himself even getting involved.
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The 33-year-old has already said the Champions League is beyond them unless they make changes with a last 16 game at home to Napoli to come.
But Messi has still smashed yet more records to further etch his name into the history books.
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Here are the 11 records broken by the Argentinean star this term.
Seventh La Liga top scorer award
Messi has scored 25 times in La Liga this term – his lowest total since 2009 – but it is still enough to see him head the charts.
Legendary Athletic Bilbao forward Telmo Zarra won it on six occasions in the 1940s and 50s but Messi is not out on his own with seven.
Most La Liga assists in a season
One of Messi’s greatest qualities is that he is creative as well as prolific.
The Argentine has supplied 22 assists this term, surpassing the previous total of 21 held by former team-mate Xavi.
First La Liga player win 20 goals and 20 assists in a season
As we said – he scores and creates. Messi became the first player in the Spanish top flight to put up such numbers.
Thierry Henry, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona, did so while at Arsenal in 2002/03.
Most Player of the Month awards
Seven times Messi has been named as La Liga’s standout player over a month period.
In a way you expected it to be more but when his standards as so high you often expect brilliance.
First Player to score 20 La Liga goals for 12 straight seasons
Messi broke the 20 goal barrier in Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge and has never looked back.
His haul of 50 in 2011/12 remains his most prolific season.
First player in history to have 1000 goal involvements
The Barcelona star is now part of an exclusive club that contains one member.
He has scored over 600 goals in his career and been equally as generous when it comes to supplying his team-mates.
First player in Spanish history to win 500 games
Messi’s longevity coupled with his influence in a side that has dominated for so long helped him achieve the incredible feat.
The likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carlos Puyol will have won their fair share of games, but never hit such numbers.
Most hat-tricks in La Liga history
This record was formerly held by Messi’s long time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid legend scored 34 trebles but Messi has now notched 36.
Most El Clasico appearances by a Barcelona player
Messi took on Los Blancos for a 43rd time this season, although he failed to win either game against them.
His hat-trick against them back in 2007 remains one of his breakout moments.
First player to score in 15 consecutive Champions League campaigns
When the 33-year-old scored against Slavia Prague in October he broke yet another record.
Messi scored his first ever goal in Europe’s top club competition against Panathinaikos in 2005.
Most teams scored against in Champions League history
Messi scored against his 34th different team in the Champions League this season.
He has scored 114 times in all with six English clubs on the receiving end of his brilliance.