5 amazing Guinness World Records held by footballers

#5 Lionel Messi

Messi is also Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer

What: Most goals in a calendar year (Football)

Where: FC Barcelona

When: 2012

Lionel Messi needs no introduction.He is a winner of five FIFA Ballon d'Ors, a World Cup golden ball and numerous other individual awards. Considered by many to be arguably the greatest player in the history of the game, he toys with records on a daily basis.

Of all the records smashed or broken by the diminutive Argentine, one stands out. It is Guinness World Record MOST GOALS IN A CALENDAR YEAR (FOOTBALL).

Messi clinched the record after hitting the target twice in Barca's 2-1 win over Real Betis on December 9, 2012. Barcelona's no.10 broke Gerd Mueller's record of 85 goals which stood for 40 long years.

Messi was breathing goals in 2012. He found the back of net 91 times that very year and destroyed opponents after opponents whether it was for FC Barcelona or while donning the white and light blue of Argentina. He plundered 79 goals for his club side and went on to score 12 times for Argentina too.

Nicknamed "The Flea" for his small frame, Messi is also Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. But to have a Guinness World Record in one’s name is a special feeling and he sure would be a happy soul now, planning and preparing for future records.

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