Lionel Messi Becomes FC Barcelona's Leading Scorer

With 234 goals, Lionel Messi recently became the all-time leading scorer for F.C. Barcelona.  Astonishingly, he is only 24 years old.  At his age, most players are just entering their prime, but Messi has been playing at a level all to his own for eight years.    

César Rodríguez, who was the former goal leader for the club, scored 232 career goals during a prosperous 13 year stint in the Catalans.  However, Lionel Messi has already surpassed César’s mark in five fewer seasons, and has fortified his position in the club’s history.  Each major competition including the La Liga title, La Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, the Club World Cup and the Champions League have all succumb to the Argentine’s deadly left foot.

Lionel Messi’s attributes are eerily similar to his Argentinean predecessor, Diego Maradona.  Both of whom have a short stature, a left-footed dominance and a quick pace on the ball.  Even when defenders appear to have caught Messi in a tackle, he whisks the ball away and changes direction in one fluid motion.  His vision and handling allow him to weave through opposing defenses while maintaining an uncatchable pace. He has already become the new standard by which to judge playmakers and goal-scorers alike. 

Though his height does not afford the opportunity to win many aerial battles, Messi has a low center of gravity which allows him to keep his feet against stronger opponents.  Few teams have found an answer to Messi’s infallible ball control, so they are often forced to foul instead.  Nevertheless, the Argentinean forward rarely dives, but frequently keeps dribbling after being clipped or held.  

Since Lionel Messi’s recent flurry of success, the debate over the greatest player of all time has
reemerged.  Maradona and Pelé were the dominate names only a decade ago, but now, it is difficult to exclude Messi who has reigned supreme in the modern era. 

Not everyone is convinced though.  Detractors note his failure to match the level of international success as Maradona and Pelé who both won the World Cup for their respective nations (Argentina and Brazil).  This achievement has eluded Messi on two attempts.

Despite his international shortcomings, Messi is certainly the most spectacular playmaker of his generation, and considering his age, he will surely dazzle fans for more seasons to come.