Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Messi set to equal Barcelona appearance record

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Monday, 15 March 2021 05:24

Lionel Messi is set to equal Xavi Hernandez's record as Barcelona's highest all-time appearance maker in Monday's La Liga match at home to Huesca, completing a triple crown of the most prestigious records with the Catalan club.

Messi will join former club captain Xavi on 767 matches in all competitions should he take the field against Huesca at the Camp Nou and then move clear as Barca's record appearance maker when his side visit Real Sociedad next Sunday.

- Notebook: Barca want Aguero; Chelsea right to sack Lampard
- Hunter: What Laporta's win means for Messi, Barca debt
- Stream LIVE games and replays on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

The appearance record is one of the few milestones Messi had yet to achieve in his illustrious career with Barca, who he joined aged 13 in 2000 before making his debut in 2004.

He surpassed Cesar as their all-time top scorer in 2012 and to date has 659 goals for the club, while he overtook Andres Iniesta as Barca's most decorated player in August 2018 and has gone on to lift 34 trophies with them.

Messi also holds Barca's records for most assists (289), most hat tricks (48) and most goals in a single-season, a jaw-dropping 73 in the 2011-12 campaign.

Outside of club records, he became La Liga's all-time top scorer in 2014 and has won the Ballon d'Or award a record six times.

"The fact he is about to equal Xavi's number of games is incredible," Barca coach Ronald Koeman ahead of Monday's game.

"But you also have to look at all the goals he has scored and the trophies he has lifted. Everything he has done is remarkable."

The only downside for Messi is that he will be unable to savour the milestone in front of Barca's supporters due to continued COVID-19 restrictions.

This could be Messi's last season in La Liga. He wanted to leave Barcelona last summer and has said he will decide on his future in June, when his contract with the club expires.

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are the favourites to sign him if he does leave, although the Premier League club recently denied reports they have already offered him a contract.

The Argentina international has been free to speak with other clubs since Jan. 1, when he moved into the final six months of his terms.

Read 297 times

Soccer

Van Dijk 'angry' after 1st red card with Dutch

Van Dijk 'angry' after 1st red card with Dutch

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVirgil van Dijk said he was "angry" with the decision to give him t...

Poch: 2026 WC a 'massive responsibility' for U.S.

Poch: 2026 WC a 'massive responsibility' for U.S.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAUSTIN, Texas -- United States men's national team head coach Mauri...

Carvajal, Rodri injuries show top players have too many games. Are national teams to blame?

Carvajal, Rodri injuries show top players have too many games. Are national teams to blame?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe men who raised the alarm were the first to fall, an extra cruel...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Epic dunks, clutch shots and 'It's over': Vince Carter's Hall of Fame moments

Epic dunks, clutch shots and 'It's over': Vince Carter's Hall of Fame moments

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter a high-flying career that traversed 22 seasons, "Air Canada"...

A KAT and $300K: How the Knicks worked the system to pull off the preseason's biggest trade

A KAT and $300K: How the Knicks worked the system to pull off the preseason's biggest trade

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGet Karl-Anthony Towns and $300,000 to spare.For the New York Knick...

Baseball

Spring training facilities largely spared by Milton

Spring training facilities largely spared by Milton

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMajor League Baseball spring training facilities on Florida's west...

How Mookie Betts got his October groove back

How Mookie Betts got his October groove back

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Mookie Betts spent part of his 32nd birthday practic...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated