Jump directly to the content

Lionel Messi's list of achievements is endless, and the all-time great has set records with alarming frequency over the years.

But there is one month in particular which has seen the Argentine reach major milestones in his career, writing his name into the history books in the process.

Messi scooped the European Golden Boot award in 2012 after firing an unprecedented 91 goals for club and country
3
Messi scooped the European Golden Boot award in 2012 after firing an unprecedented 91 goals for club and countryCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The beginning of May has seen three landmark moments for Messi, spanning a 14-year period during his time with Barcelona, with arguably the most memorable one coming in 2012.

In a 4-1 win over Malaga at the end of the 2011/12 campaign, the then 24-year-old netted a hat-trick to smash a 39-year record for the most goals in all competitions in a major European league season.

With his 68th goal that term, Messi overtook German football legend Gerd Muller's previous best of 67, set in 1973 with Bayern Munich.

This was not the only time the Barca hero would surpass Muller in goalscoring achievements in 2012, as he later smashed the former striker's record for the most goals in a calendar year, with an astonishing 91 strikes.

Read More On Lionel Messi

But the World Cup winning captain will perhaps look back even more fondly on another key moment in his career which took place on the same day, seven years earlier.

On May 1, 2005, a 17-year-old Messi announced himself to the world by scoring his first ever senior goal in the Blaugrana's 2-0 victory over Albacete, just minutes after coming on off the bench.

The current Inter Miami man controlled a scooped through ball from Brazil icon Ronaldinho before lobbing the onrushing goalkeeper, a finish which fans would grow used to seeing in years to come.

This maiden strike would pave the way for years of prolific goalscoring, and in 2019, Messi hit yet another milestone, once again in the final month of the season.

Messi celebrated his first ever Barcelona goal with Brazilian legend Ronaldinho
3
Messi celebrated his first ever Barcelona goal with Brazilian legend RonaldinhoCredit: Getty Images
The Argentine sensation already has 9 goals in 7 MLS games this campaign for Inter Miami
3
The Argentine sensation already has 9 goals in 7 MLS games this campaign for Inter MiamiCredit: Getty

The forward notched his 600th Barcelona goal with a 30-yard free-kick against Liverpool in a 3-0 Champions League semi final win.

This extended his lead at the top of the club's goalscoring charts, who left the Spanish giants in 2021 after finding the net 672 times.

While Barca famously suffered heartbreak in the second leg of the same tie against the English giants, who staged an incredible comeback, it did little to tarnish Messi's achievements.

He would ultimately finish his time in Spain as LaLiga's all-time top scorer with 474 goals, ahead of his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who occupies second place.

And as the sporting great heads into his favourite month, he will no doubt be targeting further history in the coming weeks with Inter Miami, who lead the MLS Eastern Conference after 11 games.

With Messi currently the league's top goalscorer, he will be hopeful of adding another host of collective and individual accolades to his huge collection by the end of the campaign.

Topics