After the giant debut of the flea in the Champions League in the game against the Dutch team PSV Eindhoven, where the star Argentina signed a hat-trick and helped Barça to build the victory by 4 to 0 at the Camp Nou, the following came up a discussion:
Could Messi beat Pele in the number of goals scored in history?
Surely nothing is impossible for Messi when it comes to records in a club – even when we talk about the Argentine National Team it still hurts, right?
But in reality, there are 2 records of the King that Leo can go in search:
The first is the most goals scored by a single club. Pelé has scored 643 official goals for Santos, of Brazil, while Leo has scored 560.
Well, it’s not that far, considering that his average goals in a season are over 40 and he’s still 31 years old. The account is simple. There are 83 goals difference between the Argentine and the Brazilian. Imagine that Leo scores 42 goals per season, by the way, he would surpass the King.
It is a very possible scenario for the Argentinean and he sure is going for it.
Already the second record is the most goals scored in history, including games in clubs, Brazilian team and youth categories, adding officials and friendly. Everyone knows the legendary number of goals made by Pele, 1284. But still, the Flea also broke the barrier of 1000 goals, adding so many in official games, friendly and also in the youth categories, and already has 1038 goals scored (data of September 24, 2018).
Could Messi overcome Pele in both?
The truth is that if!
And although they have other legendary players in goal numbers, the comparison is very valid because of the historical rivalry between Brazil and Argentina.
From the stories I’ve heard, the goals I’ve seen that Pelé scored, I think that, in my opinion, the Brazilian was better. But, they are completely different football periods and even some rules changed. But without a doubt, it is a privilege for few to see Lionel Messi in action, either for Barcelona or for the Argentine national team.