10 records that Lionel Messi could achieve in 2021

#8 Fifth player to make 150 Champions League appearances

Lionel Messi

With 148 appearances in the Champions League tournament (group stage to final), Lionel Messi is fifth in the competition's all-time appearance makers' list.

The Argentine is now only two games away from becoming only the fifth player, second active, to play 150 games in the competition. It is a mark that Lionel Messi could arrive at this season if Barcelona manage to overturn their 4-1 Round-of-16 first-leg deficit against PSG away from home next week.

If not, Lionel Messi would have the opportunity to arrive at the landmark later this year.

---

#9 Most capped player for Argentina

Lionel Messi

With 71 goals, Lionel Messi is the all-time top-scorer for Argentina. However, La Pulga (142) is not yet his country's record appearance maker.

Javier Mascherano (147) and Javier Zanetti (143) are ahead of Lionel Messi at the moment.

However, with the upcoming Copa America tournament and a few 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to come, Lionel Messi is well on course to overtake Mascherano and become the most capped Albiceleste player this year.

---

#10 Win a seventh Ballon d'Or award

Lionel Messi poses with his record six Ballon d'Or awards

Lionel Messi won a record sixth Ballon d'Or award in 2019 to break a tie with his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Argentine has had a largely underwhelming campaign this season, but he has shown signs of rediscovering his mojo in recent games.

Lionel Messi from @FCBarcelona is the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner! THAT'S HIS SIXTH ONE! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/dLndTZNeeW

— France Football (@francefootball) December 2, 2019

If he produces a strong finish to the season and does well at the Copa America with Argentina, Lionel Messi could win a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or award this year.

At the moment, he is not the leading candidate for the award, but things could change as the year progresses.