Lionel Messi has lately penned a contract extension with Inter Miami that runs till 2028. However what number of worlds are there left to overcome for the Argentinian legend?
It’s a good query, provided that Messi has seemingly already accomplished soccer and already boasts a ridiculous variety of data that may certainly by no means be damaged.
There are nonetheless, by some means, but extra data he might break. We’ve recognized eight extra that he might probably break if he continues enjoying till 2028.
First participant to win two World Cups as captain
Argentina’s defeat within the 2014 World Cup closing signifies that Pele’s distinction of being the one participant in historical past with three World Cups stays protected.
A variety of gamers have gained two World Cups (largely from Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962) however Messi might be the primary to put on the armband in each.
Italy’s Giuseppe Meazza (1938), Brazil’s Bellini (1958), Mauro (1962) and Cafu (2002), and Argentina’s Daniel Passarella (1978) all lifted the trophy twice, however solely as soon as as captain.
First nationwide workforce captain to win 4 successive main tournaments
Argentina presently match Spain’s achievement of bookending a World Cup with back-to-back continental titles.
They’re the one two groups within the historical past of worldwide soccer to attain that feat.
La Albiceleste, and by extension Messi as their inspirational captain, can change into the primary to make it 4 on the bounce subsequent summer time.
Embody the Finalissima and Messi might even make it six in 2026.
The highest assister in soccer historical past
Messi is virtually house and hosed with this one.
Relying in your supply, you may argue that he’s boasted this report for years already. With regards to the official OPTA stats for assists, which began to be compiled within the Nineties, Messi is miles away from anybody else.
However some estimate that Hungarian phenomenon Ferenc Puskas notched 404 assists in his profession. Messi reached that quantity by establishing three objectives in Inter Miami’s 4-0 thrashing of Cincinnati.
Another help and Messi will emphatically declare the report outright.
Most free-kick objectives in soccer historical past
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner already stands above the likes of David Beckham, Pele and his nice rival Cristiano Ronaldo within the all-time rankings for free-kick objectives.
However he stands fourth total, behind Juninho Pernambucano (72), Roberto Dinamite (75) and Marcelinho (78).
He’s presently on 69. Ten extra to say the report outright.
The primary participant to win three MLS Golden Boots
Messi gained his ninth profession Golden Boot, and first since leaving Barcelona, with 29 objectives within the common 2025 MLS season.
The 38-year-old can match Preki, Taylor Twellman, Jeff Cunningham and Bradley Wright-Phillips in successful two if he can retain it subsequent 12 months. No participant in Main League Soccer historical past has completed prime scorer in back-to-back campaigns.
If he sees out his Inter Miami contract via to 2028 and wins it twice extra in these three years, he’ll outright have greater than another participant.
Most objectives in an MLS season
Carlos Vela nonetheless holds the report for essentially the most objectives in an MLS marketing campaign, having scored 34 for Los Angeles FC again in 2019.
Messi fell 5 in need of that tally final season, however you take a look at his latest type, and Inter Miami’s trajectory, and hitting that tally shouldn’t be past him if he can keep match and out there for a full season.
A giant ask when he turns 39 halfway via it, granted.
Most objectives and assists in an MLS season
Should you embrace the play-offs, Messi has already destroyed the report for essentially the most aim contributions in an MLS season.
His numbers have been particularly outrageous for Inter Miami of late, smashing the play-off aim contribution report with six objectives and 6 assists in simply 4 crunch-time video games. That takes him to 60 for the 12 months, with as much as two extra video games to play.
However usually, the MLS report books maintain the common season and play-offs as distinct entities. Vela nonetheless holds the common season report.
Messi notched an unbelievable 29 objectives and 19 assists from simply 29 matches within the common season. That was only one shy of Vela’s 34 objectives and 15 assists in 2019.
Most assists in an MLS season
Messi is unquestionably too lengthy within the tooth to genuinely take into consideration matching any of Main League Soccer’s all-time data.
He’d have to keep up unprecedented output till previous the age of 41 if he’s to get wherever close to Chris Wondolowski’s goalscoring report (171) or Landon Donovan’s whole assists report (136).
However even in his twilight years, Messi nonetheless possesses the power to interrupt any single-season data. And it’s one other Carlos V who stands in his means on the assists entrance.
No person’s received near matching Colombia icon Carlos Valderrama and his 26 assists for Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2000.
However when you think about that Messi has 9 assists in his final six appearances for Inter Miami, he might nicely mount a problem…
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