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Lionel Messi's free transfer from Barcelona to PSG is among the most high-profile signings in the history of football. Replicating their antics of 2017, the nine-time French champions staged a serious coup by hijacking Lionel Messi from Barcelona amidst the Catalans' financial disputes.
At the time of writing, the little Argentine is yet to make his PSG debut, but this fact could change sooner rather than later.
Lionel Messi extends Barcelona and PSG's long-term relationship
Following his sensational move, Lionel Messi became the 15th player to have signed contracts for both PSG and Barcelona. Thiago Alcantara's Brazilian sibling, Rafinha, was the last well-known transfer that was sanctioned between the two sides, swapping Camp Nou for the Parc des Princes in 2020. Other notable names include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dani Alves, Neymar and Ronaldinho.
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The Blaugrana and the Parisians have established somewhat of a continental rivalry. Apart from the 12 matches where both Barcelona and PSG have run out victors four times, the two clubs also have a rocky transfer history. Since Neymar's game-changing move from Spain to France, a constant hostile state has seeped in between the two.
With the French giants taking away Barcelona's talisman on a free transfer, their existing animosity will definitely pick up more wind. However, the Catalans' loss is PSG's gain as Lionel Messi will bring some much-needed stability to the club.
On that note, let's take a look at 5 potential records that the Argentine will aim to shatter during his time as a PSG player:
#5 Most goals scored in a single season - 50 (Zlatan Ibrahimovic)
The quintessential journeyman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic became PSG's marquee signing in 2012. The Swede was a highly sought-after player at the time of his transfer and therefore this move baffled many in the footballing world. However, Ibrahimovic proved to be a bargain at €20m, transforming the club into continental giants.
Following his failed move to Barcelona and a renaissance period in Milan, Ibrahimovic redeemed his reputation by becoming PSG's main man during his four-year stay in Paris. The Swedish international went on to score a whopping 156 goals in just 180 games for the Parisians.
Nevertheless, his most prolific season came in 2016, which saw Ibrahimovic score a monstrous total of 50 goals in all competitions for PSG. The enigmatic striker has been a known admirer of Lionel Messi since his time at Camp Nou. Of all people, Ibrahimovic will be fully aware of the Argentine's capabilities and could easily lose his title to Lionel Messi, who could break the record in the future.
#4 Goals scored in a row in Ligue 1 - 9 (Zlatan Ibrahimovic)
In another PSG accolade held by the iconic forward, Ibrahimovic makes a second appearance on this list in quick succession. Along with Yugoslavian legend, Vahid Halilhodžić, Ibrahimovic possesses the record of most goals scored in a row. While the former achieved the said feat in the 1984-85 season for Nantes, Ibrahimovic matched his tally for PSG in 2016.
Capping off what turned out to be his most productive season in Paris, the current AC Milan striker netted in 9 straight games to etch his name in PSG and Ligue 1's history. The fabled 2015-16 season proved to be Ibrahimovic's final one in France and the Swede departed as the club's all-time top scorer.
Last season, Lionel Messi experienced one of the worst starts of his career, not scoring a goal from open play until November. And yet the little Argentine wrapped up the season as La Liga and Barcelona's top scorer. Hence, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the veteran forward manages to dethrone Ibrahimovic from this record in his first season at PSG.
Also read: 5 players who could score more goals than Lionel Messi this season (2021-22)
#3 Oldest goalscorer for the club - 36 years and 9 months (Claude Makelele)
Lionel Messi signed for PSG in August 2021 from Barcelona, at the ripe old age of 34 years and two months. Usually, players of such ages are often signed on to add to the depth of a squad. Then again, Lionel Messi has never been associated with the words 'normal' and 'usual'. Undoubtedly, the Argentine will definitely be one of the star players for PSG in the upcoming season.
Taking a break from his countless abilities, there is one PSG record that Lionel Messi can only break by extending his designated two-year stay in Paris. At 36 years and 9 months, Claude Makelele became the French giants' oldest ever goalscorer when he scored PSG's opener against RC Lens in a league match in 2009. 12 years since that fateful draw, the record still stands high.
Lionel Messi's current deal with PSG is set to expire in July 2023. At that point, the Argentine will be aged 36 years and one month, making him ineligible for the said title. However, if he chooses to activate a clause in his contract that will extend his deal with PSG by one year, this record will be Lionel Messi's for the taking.
#2 First PSG player to win a Ballon d'Or
Footballer-turned-politician George Weah is currently serving as the 25th President of Liberia, a post which he acquired in 2018. However, back in his day, the African striker was regarded as one of the best players to have ever graced the game. To date, he is the only African to have won the Ballon d'Or, having secured the prestigious award in 1995.
The Liberian forward remained a class act throughout his prolonged career with his best days coming in the 90s. Due to his brilliant and consistent performances in 1995 for PSG and Milan, Weah was awarded the highest individual accolade in football. However, at the time of his christening, Weah had already moved to Italy. As a result, he won the award contracted to Milan, even though some of his best displays had come in a PSG shirt.
As a result, the French club have recorded no Ballon d'Or winners in their 51 years of existence. That could all change in a single season, with Lionel Messi on track for his seventh Ballon d'Or at the time of writing. Following a historic Copa America win, the Argentine is the favorite to win the prestigious award in 2021.
#1 Fastest PSG player to reach 50 Ligue 1 goals - 58 games (Neymar)
While many question Neymar's ethics and professionalism due to his lavish lifestyle, there are no doubts regarding his obvious talents. Following a controversial and record-breaking €222m transfer to PSG, the Brazilian was expected to take the French club to new heights. Even though PSG have failed to win the elusive Champions League title, they have made considerable progress on the European front with Neymar at the helm.
Domestically speaking, the most expensive player of all time has been simply breathtaking. After escaping Lionel Messi's shadow, Neymar assumed a leader's role in Paris, scoring an eye-watering 87 goals in just 116 games for PSG. Out of the aforementioned strikes, 56 have come in Ligue 1 alone. To top it all off, it took Neymar just 58 games to reach 50 goals in the French top-flight.
Nevertheless, with Lionel Messi a PSG player now, the Argentine has the caliber to shatter this newly-formed record. The 34-year-old is fresh off a Pichichi-winning year, mustering 30 strikes in La Liga last season. If he continues his goalscoring ways in Ligue 1, Lionel Messi will easily usurp Neymar as the fastest PSG player to record 50 league goals.
Also read: Ranking 5 greatest players to have played for both Barcelona and PSG
