After leaving Pelé’s record of 75 goals (1958) in the dust, Leo Messi is on the verge of breaking the all-time record set by Gerd Müller, who scored 85 goals in 1972. With his two goals this Saturday against Athletic Club Bilbao, Barça’s forward took his year tally to 84 goals - meaning he’s only one goal adrift of equalling the record. Messi has six games left in 2012 to equal or break the German's record.
The perfect end year to a fantastic year
Records simply aren’t safe when Messi’s on the pitch. Two days after FIFA announced that Messi was on the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, the Blaugrana forward moved within touching distance of Müller’s record, a mark that no player has ever been able to equal since it was set in 1972.
Forty years later, Leo Messi can finish off 2012 in perfect fashion. He was last season’s Pichichi with 50 goals; he won the Golden Boot; he was the highest scorer of Champions League last season, and he won the Copa del Rey - not to mention that he’s this season’s Pichichi as well (20 goals).
