Barcelona football star Lionel Messi has written his way into the history books after notching up the Guinness World Records title for the most goals in a calendar year by netting his 86th goal of 2012.
The 25-year-old Argentine edged past Gerd Mueller’s long-standing record of 85 – set in 1972 – to set a new benchmark, which includes goals for club and country.
Messi clinched the record after hitting the target twice in Barca’s 2-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday.
The Three-time World Player of the Year drilled in an angled shot after 16 minutes to equal the German’s record before adding a second with a shot driven low in the 25th minute to set the new mark.
However, according to the Zambian FA, the record was never Muller’s to be broken, but was rather Kabwe Warriors striker Godfrey Chitalu who scored 107 goals, also in 1972.
The five-time Zambian player of the year’s feat was never officially recognised by FIFA, but Zambian officials have approached football’s governing body to have the goals officially recorded.
There have also been claims from Brazilian club Flamengo Messi is still one goal shy of the record set by Brazilian Zico, who the club say scored 89 goals in 1979.
The midfielder, who played in three World Cup campaigns for the South Americans between 1978-86, scored 81 goals for the Rio-based club, seven with Brazil and one in a friendly.
“Messi has not bettered the record,” said Bruno Lucena, a club historian.
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