Messi Close To Equaling

By Joshua Walters

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi is chasing after Pelé’s record of six hundred and forty-three club goals.

The Brazilian legend is said to be the greatest player of the 20th century, alongside Lionel Messi's compatriot Diego Maradona. 

The Brazil international led his country to three World Cups, and is on record to have scored a 643 goals in 656 appearances in all competitions for club side, Santos.

The record makes the retired centre-forward the record goalscorer in the Campeonato Paulista with 470 goals in 412 appearances.

Pele also has 100 goals in 173 appearances in the Brasileiro, and 24 goals in 18 games in international competitions.

But Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players of the 21st century, is fast catching up with the Brazilian great.

The Barcelona skipper has 575 goals in 659 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan club having recently become the second ever player to score 400 goals in the La Liga.

The 32-year-old forward also has 106 goals in 129 appearances in the Champions League and 48 goals in 68 appearances in the Copa del Rey which he led Barcelona to the quater finals after a 4-2 aggregate win against Levante after the second leg of the two-legged tie last Thursday.

The Argentine national team captain has scored 13 goals in 18 appearances in the Supercopa de Espana as well.

Messi is now 68 goals short of Pele's goal record, a feat which he can achieve in two seasons giving his impressive goalscoring record, having also shown no signs of slowing down.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 587 goals and also stands the chance to reach the achievement earlier than Messi, but that seem a bit unlikely as the goalscoring prowess of the Portuguese has reduced since switching camp from Real Madrid to Barcelona this season.