Messi beats Pele's record for goals
Source: Agencies |
November 13, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LIONEL Messi surpassed Pele's milestone of goals in a calendar year by scoring for the 75th and 76th time in 2012 to move within nine of Gerd Mueller's all-time record as Barcelona won 4-2 at Mallorca in the Spanish league on Sunday.
Xavi Hernandez unlocked Mallorca's defense with a freekick in the 28th minute before Messi struck in the 44th. Cristian Tello added a third goal a minute later.
After Mallorca netted twice in the second half to breathe life into the match, Messi stepped up to score again the 70th to ensure victory as Barcelona rebounded from its loss at Celtic in the Champions League with its 10th win in 11 rounds.
"Leo's records are spectacular" said Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova. "It's spectacular when you think that he scores so many goals. Some few players reach these numbers in seven or eight seasons, he does it in one. And most of his goals are great goals."
This is the latest scoring feat for the Argentina forward, one of the leading candidates for the Ballon D'Or. Messi scored 73 goals in the 2011-12 season for Barcelona, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Mueller in 1972-73. He also set a Spanish league record of 50 goals last season and broke Cesar Rodriguez's 57-year milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona all-time leading scorer.
Pele scored 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972 for West Germany and Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid needed a late goal from rarely used youngster Alvaro Morata to win 2-1 at Levante and remains eight points behind Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Real in the 21st after receiving a gash above his left eye in a collision with an opposing player.
Real coach Jose Mourinho said that Ronaldo was having trouble with his vision and had to be substituted. Morata came in the 83rd minute and one minute later he met Alonso's freekick to score.
Xavi Hernandez unlocked Mallorca's defense with a freekick in the 28th minute before Messi struck in the 44th. Cristian Tello added a third goal a minute later.
After Mallorca netted twice in the second half to breathe life into the match, Messi stepped up to score again the 70th to ensure victory as Barcelona rebounded from its loss at Celtic in the Champions League with its 10th win in 11 rounds.
"Leo's records are spectacular" said Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova. "It's spectacular when you think that he scores so many goals. Some few players reach these numbers in seven or eight seasons, he does it in one. And most of his goals are great goals."
This is the latest scoring feat for the Argentina forward, one of the leading candidates for the Ballon D'Or. Messi scored 73 goals in the 2011-12 season for Barcelona, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Mueller in 1972-73. He also set a Spanish league record of 50 goals last season and broke Cesar Rodriguez's 57-year milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona all-time leading scorer.
Pele scored 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972 for West Germany and Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid needed a late goal from rarely used youngster Alvaro Morata to win 2-1 at Levante and remains eight points behind Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Real in the 21st after receiving a gash above his left eye in a collision with an opposing player.
Real coach Jose Mourinho said that Ronaldo was having trouble with his vision and had to be substituted. Morata came in the 83rd minute and one minute later he met Alonso's freekick to score.
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