Lionel Messi has equalled Pele’s record of 643 goals for a single club after netting in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday night. Brazillian legend Pele scored 643 in 19 seasons for Santos between 1956 and 1974, and that record has now been equalled by Messi, who started his tally in 2005 against Albacete.
Lionel Messi Equals Pele’s Goalscoring Record
👑 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 🤴
Leo #Messi equals @Pele as the all time top goalscorer for one club WITH 643 goals! 🐐🎨: @damiendraws pic.twitter.com/dNrlmwdfC7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 19, 2020
643 Goals for Messi
The record-equalling goal arrived in first-half stoppage time for Messi, diving in to head home after his penalty had initially been saved by Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenech.
It proved to be his 450th in La Liga in just his 498th league appearance for the club.
The header levelled the game for Barca after they had fallen behind to Mouctar Diakhaby’s opener for the visitors.
Ronald Araujo put Barcelona in front with a stunning scissor-kick, but Maxi Gomez poked home at the far post to level the game once more.
Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho almost won it for the hosts with 12 minutes left, but his angled strike narrowly missed the target.
The result leaves Barcelona fifth in the table, eight points behind Atletico Madrid.
Pele Recognises Messi Achievement
The achievement didn’t go unnoticed, with Pele taking to Instagram to congratulate Messi on his goalscoring feat.
He said: “When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path. Like you, I know what it’s like to love wearing the same shirt every day. Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home. Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona. Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much.”
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