Breaking footballing records is nothing new for Lionel Messi but his greatest goal-scoring exploit might come in 2020. The Argentine is on course to surpass a record set by Brazilian icon Pele in 1973 of scoring the most number of goals for a single club. The Brazilian legend played for Santos between 1956 and 1974 and in those 18 years, he scored 643 goals for them, a record which looked unbeatable until Lionel Messi showed up. The little Argentine already has 618 goals for Barcelona in 705 appearances and looks all set to break the record set by the Brazilian icon in the upcoming year. Lionel Messi Nets 50-Plus Goals in This Calendar Year for Barcelona & Argentina.

Lionel Messi has broken many records set by some of the greatest goal-scorers in world football but breaking Pele’s record will be something special for the Barcelona forward as it could stamp the Argentine’s authority as the greatest player of all time. Despite the setback at Anfield and in the Copa Del Rey final, Lionel Messi has had a spectacular year on an individual level. The Barcelona forward has gone past the 50-goal mark for the ninth time in ten years as he scored a goal in the Catalan side’s 4-1 victory over Alaves in their last game of the calendar year. Year Ender 2019: Lionel Messi Starts and Ends Decade As 'The Best'.

Lionel Messi has scored 15 goals in 18 appearances this season and is just 25 strikes behind Pele’s record. The Barcelona forward is believed by many to be the greatest player of all time and he looks all set to break the 50-year old record set by another legend of the game in the upcoming year. If Leo Messi manages breaks this record, it could easily stand for another 50-years as very few players in the world are able to perform with the same consistency that the Barcelona captain does.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 23, 2019 11:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).