Messi scores 700th pro goal

Leo Messi’s penalty against Atlético Madrid was the 700^th of his professional career -630 for Barça and 70 for Argentina, including official and friendly games. Counting friendlies for Barça too, he has 735 goals.

15 years making history

His first goal came on 1 May 2005 at the Camp Nou against Albacete, coming off a fine assist from Ronaldinho. And from there, the story just hasn’t stopped, with goals coming on all shapes and sizes. Lots of them. Lots and lots of them. 

Record breaker

His most amazing year was 2012, when he netted 91 times, beating Pele’s previous record of 75. His 599th professional goal was a particularly stunning direct free kick that Las Palmas keeper Chichizola had no chance of stopping. 

Goal 600 was also a free kick, this time against Oblak and just as unstoppable. But he has never shown any signs of stopping and his penalty tonight was number 700 in his glittering career. The only tragedy is that nobody could be in the stadium to see it live.

The story continues...

Messi is infinitely ambitious and still has further targets to aim for. He needs just 13 to beat Pelé’s record number of goals for a single team. And with 724 appearances to his name he doesn’t have too long to go before he tops the 767 of Xavi Hernández.

The best player that ever walked the planet. There’s simply no point arguing that!