Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has set numerous records throughout his career. As of June 2026, his most notable achievements include winning the Ballon d'Or eight times, more than any other player in history. He also holds the record for the most goals in a calendar year, scoring 91 goals in 2012 for Barcelona and Argentina.
Messi's record-breaking extends to club football. He is Barcelona's all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances. He also holds the record for the most goals in La Liga (474) and the most hat-tricks in the competition (36). In international football, he became the all-time leading scorer for Argentina, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta's record.
In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup, scoring seven goals and winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. This achievement cemented his legacy, as he became the first player to win the Golden Ball in the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final of a single World Cup.
Messi's records are verified by official sources such as FIFA, UEFA, and La Liga. While some records may be broken in the future, his impact on the sport remains unparalleled.
