Messi's challenges for 2020
It’s been another amazing year for Leo Messi, as recognised by his sixth Ballon d’Or. In 16 seasons at Barça he has already totally rewritten the history books, but there are still plenty of new targets to aim for. Let’s take a a look of some of his goals for 2020.
-Beat Pelé as the top goalscorer for a single team. Pelé allegedly scored 643 goals in competitive games for Santos, but with 618 in his account across all competitions, Leo Messi is just 25 away from the Brazilian legend. If he continues his current form, Messi should be setting a new record some time this year.
-Win a fifth Champions League. The Argentinian has already won the title four times (2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015), and he and the team are desperate to end a five-year drought this term. A fifth continental title would leave Messi (and Gerard Piqué too) just one short of the record holder, Francisco Gento, who won six with Real Madrid.
-Win his eleventh Liga title. Barça have won eight of the last eleven editions of La Liga, and eleven of the last sixteen. Messi has been involved in all of those campaigns, and is just two short of the all-time record, also currently held by Francisco Gento.
-A seventh Ballon d’Or. Messi won a record sixth European Player of the Year award this year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 & 2019), and could further his legend this year by making it an extraordinary seven.
-Fourth Golden Shoe in a row. Messi is not getting any younger, but the goals are flowing just as fast. He has been top scorer in Europe on six occasions, and last season became the first man to ever win the honour three times in a row. Can he make it four?
-Top Zarra’s Pichichi record. Every time Messi has won the Golden Shoe he has also been top goalscorer in Spain. He shares the record of six with Athletic legend Telmo Zarra, but one more would set a new outright record.
-Set a new Barça Clásico appearances record. Leo Messi matched Xavi Hernandez on 42 Clásicos in the 0-0 draw this month. One more and he would set a new club record, and he is just one short of Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid for the all-time record.
-Close in on a new Barça appearance record. Xavi is the only player left to pass. The midfield maestro played 767 games in the blaugrana jersey and Messi is currently on 705. He probably won’t catch Xavi in 2020, but he’ll certainly start getting very, very close.
-Set a new record for one-club titles. Messi has won 34 major honours at Barça, and needs just three more pots to match Wales manager and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs (36).
-Be all-time top scorer in the Champions League. The epic duel between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continues. The Argentinian has scored 114 goals in the competition, but the current Juventus star still leads the race with 128. There are plenty of games to be played in 2020, and who knows what might happen.
-Win the Copa America with Argentina. Messi is still looking for his first senior international title with Argentina (he did win the Olympics in 2008). This year brings another chance with the Copa America 2020, which his country is co-hosting with Colombia.