Messi’s record untouchable, predicts Lineker

MADRID: Lionel Messi’s all-time goalscoring record for one club will never be broken, former England and Barcelona forward Gary Lineker has predicted.

Messi beat Pele’s record of 643 goals for one club when he scored Barcelona’s third goal, and the 644th of his Barca career, in the 3-0 win against Valladolid on Tuesday.

Records are there to be broken, as Messi has proved, but Lineker says this one is untouchable.

“To beat Messi’s 644 goal record, someone will have to score an average of 43 goals a season for 15 years....for one club,” Lineker, now a BBC presenter, tweeted alongside an incredulous icon.

“This is a record that no one thought would ever be beaten. It will never be beaten again.”

The 33-year-old Argentina star rewrote the history books on Tuesday when he collected Pedri’s neat backheel and struck the ball past goalkeeper Jordi Masip in the 65th minute.

Messi scored his first goal for Barca in 2005. His has beaten the total Pele amassed for Brazilian club Santos from 1956 to 1974.

“When I started playing football I never thought I would break any records. And even less the one I achieved today,” Messi posted on Instagram.

“I can only thank all those who helped me over the years, my teammates, my family, my friends and all those who support me every day.”

Messi’s latest career landmark comes in the wake of his failed pre-season bid to quit Barca after they were thrashed 8-2 by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-fnals.

That showdown between the club and the six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been put to one side as he continues to excel on the pitch, although he said in an interview this week that he had had a “very bad time” this summer.

“I see Messi happy. He is working hard, and he is a very important part of our attacking game,” said Barca coach Ronald Koeman after Tuesday’s win.