On Saturday against Rayo Vallecano (8.00 PM CET), Leo Messi could equal or even beat the legendary Alfredo Di Stéfano’s tally of 227 goals in 329 league matches. The Barça star currently has 226 goals in 262 games, and also has another Real Madrid legend in his sights, Raúl González, who scored 228 but took 550 games to get them. Still aged just 26, the Barça star is breaking records left, right and centre.
Zarra the leader
Leo Messi’s 226 goals already make him the fifth highest league goalscorer ever. Top of the list is Telmo Zarra, who got 251 goals in 277 games for Athletic Bilbao. Mexican Hugo Sánchez scored 234 goals in 347 games for Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, while Raúl (228) and Di Stéfano (227) are third and fourth. Behind Messi come former Barça man César in sixth (221), Quini seventh (219), Pahiño eighth (210), Mundo ninth (195) and Santillana tenth (186).
22 goals in 26 games
In the present 2013/14 season, Leo Messi has scored 22 goals in 26 matches. These include 11 in La Liga, 6 in the Champions League and 5 in the Spanish Cup. In the latter, his goal at Anoeta against Real Sociedad this week has made him the top goalscorer in the competition.