5 records Lionel Messi can break in the next four years

#2 Most number of caps for FC Barcelona

Xavi retired with 767 caps for FC Barcelona in 17 years

Last month, Messi completed 13 years at his beloved Barcelona FC and with at least a four more still to come, it holds him in good stead to surpass his former team-mate Xavi Hernandez for the all-time highest appearances for his club.

The former midfield magician currently holds the highest number of caps, with 767 across 17 illustrious seasons, followed by Andres Iniesta with 645. However, the Blaugrana skipper is no longer a regular starter at the club and at 33 and is in the twilight of his career.

That leaves Messi with the clear path towards another great milestone. La Pulga is right now third in the list of all-time appearances with 602. He averages at least 52 appearances in a season since 2008/09, and the gap of 165 between him and his former ally could therefore be cemented in exactly four years from now, mathematically at least.

For a player of his caliber and stature, it's quite certain for Messi to not only play at Barcelona, but also play be instrumental figure to its success in the next five or six years. Regardless of how much time it takes, Messi's importance to the club is way too much to deter him from appearing regularly in the red and blue of Catalonia.