5 Lionel Messi records that Cristiano Ronaldo might not be able to equal

December 6, 2019 9:18 AM

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the football world for over a decade.

Messi & Ronaldo

Between them they have won several individual and team awards.

On Monday Lionel Messi won his 6th Ballon d'Or to become the player with most wins.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi wins 2019 Ballon d'Or

Pulse Sports has compiled five of Lionel Messi's records that Cristiano Ronaldo might not equal before he hangs up his boot.

Most goals in a calendar year

In 2012, Messi broke the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year with a phenomenal tally of 91 goals.

On 9 December 2012, Lionel Messi scored twice to beat Gerd Müller's record for goals in a calendar year with his 85th and 86th.

Going into Barcelona's away match against Real Betis, Messi was sitting on a total of 84 goals scored in 2012 for his club and Argentina, putting him one behind the mark of 85 set by Gerd Müller in 1972 for Bayern Munich and Germany. But he scored twice in the first half (16', 25') to surpass Müller's record and Barcelona went on to win 1-2.

Messi went on to score another five goals before the end of the year, taking his number to 91.

And what's more, on 10 December 2017, Messi equals Gerd Müller's record (525) for most goals for a single club, from Europe's top 5 leagues.

Most goals in a single La Liga season

Lionel Messi became the first player to score 50 goals in a Spanish season as Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0 in 2011.

La Liga all-time top scorer

In 2014 Lionel Messi, Barcelona's all-time leading goalscorer became La Liga's most prolific marksman ever. The Argentinian hero notched a hat-trick in Barca's 5-1 win against Sevilla to pass Telmo Zarra.

Zarra posted an impressive tally of 251 during his 18-year career between 1939-57, but it has taken Messi, 27, less than a decade to blitz through this mark.

Fast forward current La Liga tally stands at 439 goals

All-time ballon d'Or winner

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player for a record sixth time.

It is the 32-year-old Argentine's first Ballon d'Or since 2015 and comes after he scored 54 times for club and country in 2018-19, in which Barca won La Liga.

Ballon d'Or (6) 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019.

All-time FIFA Player of the Year winner

Argentine Lionel Messi beat Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo to win the best FIFA player of the year award for a record sixth time on Monday.

Messi, who won the Spanish La Liga title with Barcelona last season as well as the European golden boot having scored 54 goals in 58 games in all competitions, last won the award in 2015.

Ballon d'Or (6) 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!