Messi surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals scored in Europe’s top five national championships.
On the evening of May 27, Lionel Messi scored the opening goal for PSG in their match against Strasbourg, resulting in a 1-1 draw. With this goal, the Argentine striker reached a milestone of 496 goals in Europe’s top five leagues, surpassing Ronaldo to become the all-time leading scorer in those leagues.
Messi’s record comprises 474 goals in La Liga and 22 goals in Ligue 1. His 474 goals in La Liga alone also set a record in that league. In comparison, Ronaldo has scored 311 goals in La Liga, 81 goals in Serie A, and 103 goals in the Premier League. The top five European leagues included in this comparison are the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.
With the draw against Strasbourg, PSG secured their second consecutive Ligue 1 title. Lionel Messi and his teammates topped the tournament with 85 points after 37 matches, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Lens heading into the final round.
This victory allowed PSG to set a new record of 11 Ligue 1 titles, surpassing St Etienne as the most successful team by a margin of one title, and Marseille by two titles.
In terms of individual achievements, Messi has now equaled his former teammate Dani Alves’ record of 43 titles. Messi’s impressive collection includes 10 La Liga titles, eight Spanish Super Cups, seven King’s Cups, four Champions Leagues, three FIFA Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, two Ligue 1 titles, one French Super Cup, one U20 World Cup, an Olympic gold medal, a Copa America, an Intercontinental Super Cup, and a World Cup.
On the other hand, Alves’ illustrious list of accomplishments consists of one Copa Nordeste, six La Liga titles, five King’s Cups, five Spanish Super Cups, three Champions Leagues, two UEFA Cups, four European Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, one Serie A title, one Italian Cup, two Ligue 1 titles, one French Cup, one French League Cup, one French Super Cup, one Campeonato Paulista, two Copa Americas, two Confederations Cups, an Olympic gold medal, and one U20 World Cup. Together, Alves and Messi have won an impressive total of 23 titles.
Alves is no longer playing. The 40-year-old defender is facing allegations of sexual assault. In January this year, the police of Catalonia, Spain arrested Alves and did not give bail.
Messi is likely to leave PSG in the summer transfer window. The contract between the two parties is about to expire. The 35-year-old striker is facing the possibility of returning to Barca, going to Saudi Arabia or the US.
