The man from Rosario enters the first FIFA date of the year with a clear path to adding new milestones to a storied career. Lionel Messi sits among the legends who have shaped football history, a list that reads like a roll call of greatness alongside figures such as Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Zinedine Zidane. His reputation as one of the sport’s most influential players is solidified by a career full of record-breaking moments and unforgettable performances, both at club level and on the international stage.
On June 30, 2020, Messi celebrated a landmark by reaching 700 career goals. That moment, achieved during his time with Barcelona and the Argentina national team, underscored a prolific scoring run that had already defined his early years as a professional. A little over two and a half years later, he stood on the brink of yet another cumulative milestone as he netted against Nantes in Ligue 1 on March 4, 2023. That goal pushed him past a significant threshold and positioned him to be among the few players who have reached 800 career goals. While the exact tally continues to evolve, the aim for Messi has been clear: to add more goals on the international stage with Argentina during the first FIFA date of the year, with friendly matches against Panama and Curaçao offering another opportunity for him to extend his impressive total.
Messi’s journey began in earnest on May 1, 2005, when he scored his first official goal in a La Liga match against Albacete while playing for Barcelona. From that moment, and until leaving Spain, he accumulated an extraordinary record of goals in league play, tallying 474 goals in 520 appearances to become La Liga’s all-time top scorer. The achievement reflected not only his eye for goal but also his consistency across seasons and elite competition.
GOALS WITH BARCELONA
The career arc with Barcelona shaped the early core of Messi’s legend. Across his time with the club, he demonstrated an ability to deliver decisive moments in big matches, often when it mattered most. His performances helped define an era for the Blaugrana, with long-range strikes, close-control finishes, and a relentless work rate that underpinned a title-winning period for the team. The average goals-per-game figure for this chapter remains a testament to his sustained excellence, a metric that coaches and fans alike reference when recounting his impact in Spain.
OBJECTIVES WITH ARGENTINA
Messi’s national team career has been equally influential, marked by leadership on the world stage and a collection of memorable goals that have resonated with fans across continents. He added to his tally in friendlies and major tournaments, contributing to a legacy that places him among the greatest Argentine players in history. His goal-scoring record for the national team reflects a combination of sharp finishing, intelligent movement, and an ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments.
OBJECTIVES WITH PSG
In addition to his club and national team exploits, Messi’s period with Paris Saint-Germain showcased his adaptability and continued scoring threat in a different league environment. Across his PSG tenure, he maintained a consistent scoring rate while contributing assists and creating opportunities for teammates. The experience highlighted his durability and willingness to adapt his game to new teammates, systems, and styles of play while maintaining high standards of performance.
OBJECTIVES IN TOTAL OF MESSI
The collective tally across all competitions—league, cup, continental, and international—speaks to a career defined by prolific output and impact in a range of contexts. The total continues to grow as Messi adds goals and assists in ongoing seasons, with each appearance offering another chance to reinforce his standing in the record books. The narrative of his career is one of longevity, consistency, and an enduring ability to influence outcomes on the field.
Source: Goal
Note on updates: The numbers referenced reflect milestones achieved over a long career and are periodically updated to capture recent performances and official tallies. Each stage of Messi’s journey contributes to a larger portrait of a player who has reshaped the expectations for what a modern footballer can achieve on the world stage.
GOALS WITH BARCELONA
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Average: 0.86 goals per game.
OBJECTIVES WITH ARGENTINA
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Average: 0.55 goals per match.
OBJECTIVES WITH PSG
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Average: 0.45 goals per game.
OBJECTIVES IN TOTAL OF MESSI
Source: Goal