12 Years Ago, Messi Set a Record That Still Stuns the Football World: 91 Goals in One Year
In 2012, Lionel Messi achieved a remarkable feat that will forever remain etched in the annals of football history—91 goals in a calendar year. This astounding accomplishment solidified his status as one of the greatest players of all time. Messi’s goal-scoring prowess that year was not only awe-inspiring but also historically significant, as it saw him outscore some of the biggest football clubs on the planet.
A Closer Look at the 91 Goals
The tally of 91 goals included strikes in all competitions, with Messi bagging goals in La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and international matches with Argentina. His relentless consistency, whether playing for Barcelona or his national team, helped him eclipse records and outperform entire clubs.
•91 goals in 2012 by Messi
•Juventus scored 89
•Borussia Dortmund managed 88
•Chelsea, reigning European champions at the time, scored 87
•Paris Saint-Germain notched 86
•Manchester United found the net 85 times
These stats illustrate the sheer magnitude of Messi’s performance. His goal-scoring output dwarfed not just individuals but entire teams filled with world-class talent.
Breaking Down the Record
Messi’s record-breaking 2012 was a year that demanded high levels of physical and mental resilience. Throughout the year, he averaged a goal almost every four days—a statistic that is extraordinary, given the demanding schedule faced by elite footballers. His goals came in various forms, from mazy solo dribbles to inch-perfect free kicks, calm finishes, and instinctive poacher’s goals. He demonstrated his ability to score from any situation, cementing his reputation as a complete forward.
Among the many highlights of Messi’s incredible run was his hat-trick against Deportivo La Coruña and his four-goal performance against Espanyol. Perhaps most memorable was the five goals he scored in a single Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, setting a record for the most goals scored by one player in a Champions League fixture.
Outscoring European Powerhouses
The fact that Messi outscored entire top-tier clubs is one of the most jaw-dropping aspects of his achievement. Juventus, Dortmund, Chelsea, PSG, and Manchester United are clubs renowned for their attacking firepower, boasting world-class players in their ranks. Yet, Messi’s individual brilliance saw him outscore them all, demonstrating his unique ability to deliver at an elite level consistently.
Juventus
The Italian giants, who were in the midst of re-establishing themselves under manager Antonio Conte, could only manage 89 goals throughout 2012. Despite winning the Serie A title, they couldn’t match the goal-scoring prowess of Messi in that record-breaking year.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund was experiencing a renaissance under Jürgen Klopp, with players like Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus leading the charge. Yet even this exciting team, which was competing at the top in the Bundesliga, scored three fewer goals than Messi.
Chelsea
The Blues won the Champions League in dramatic fashion in 2012, but even their star-studded squad, which included Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, couldn’t keep up with Messi’s goal-scoring exploits.
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG was on the rise, backed by their wealthy Qatari owners and with a team full of top-class talent. Despite their dominance in Ligue 1, their 86 goals fell short of Messi’s extraordinary individual tally.
Manchester United
The Red Devils, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, boasted attacking options like Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney. However, their 85 goals in 2012 were overshadowed by Messi’s brilliance.
An Unrivaled Legacy
This period of Messi’s career remains arguably his finest, when he was not just breaking records but redefining what it meant to be a modern footballer. His ability to score goals while also assisting his teammates set him apart from his contemporaries, and he helped Barcelona dominate European football during this era.
While Cristiano Ronaldo remains Messi’s greatest rival in terms of goal-scoring accolades, even Ronaldo has not achieved such a monumental goal tally in a calendar year. This particular record might stand the test of time, symbolizing a level of individual excellence that may never be repeated.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s 91 goals in 2012 remain one of the greatest individual achievements in football history. Outscoring some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Messi displayed an unprecedented level of consistency, technique, and genius. This version of Messi was unstoppable, and his record stands as a testament to his extraordinary ability to change the game single-handedly.
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