Lionel Messi has smashed the record for most goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues after he scored in PSG’s Ligue 1 clash with Strasbourg on Saturday.
Les Parisiens clinched the French title thanks to Messi’s 496th career league goal, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally.
A sublime ball from Danilo Pereira was picked up by the pace of Kylian Mbappe, who picked out Messi’s cross and he slotted past Matze Sels to take home his latest honour.
The Argentine equaled Ronaldo’s record when he scored against title rivals Lens last month, but had to wait a while to get ahead of his Portuguese rival, partly due to a club ban for traveling to Saudi Arabia on a training day.
However, Messi was back to his best this weekend and finishes as the two-time champion of France and the top scorer the continent has seen.
|
Stat in Europe’s top five leagues |
Lionel Messi |
Cristiano Ronaldo |
|---|---|---|
|
Games |
575 |
626 |
|
Minutes |
47,039 |
51,069 |
|
Goals |
496 |
495 |
|
Assists |
247 |
151 |
When competing directly with Ronaldo for the record back in 2020, Messi stated: “I think less and less about scoring goals.
“Obviously I like scoring, and If have a chance I’ll take it, but every time I go on to the pitch I’m less focused on scoring goals and more focused on the game. I’ve never been obsessed with goals.”
Messi is likely to return to Barcelona this summer, though he does have a lucrative offer to reunite with Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.