Lionel Messi breaks Mueller's 1972 World Record of Most Goals in a Calandar Year

When Messi was injured during the Barca duel with Benfica on Wednesday, and was carted out of the arena on a stretcher, the morale of Messi's fans and well wishers plummeted for they thought that Messi just a goal short of the German Gerd Mueller of 1972 world record of 85 goals in a calendar year was there to stay.

Messi first broke Pelé’s record of 75 goals and has now beaten Mueller's record of 85 goals set in 1972

But for 25 years old Messi, the legend who already broken Pelé’s record of 75 goals, set in 1958, the injury was not to deter him to break the historical Mueller barrier.

He was injured last Wednesday. His left knee took the weight of Benfica’s goalkeeper, Artur, in a challenge. As Messi was carted away by the medics, the distress of missing perhaps several months was writ large across his face. When tests proved nothing was broken, merely extensively bruised, Messi did as Messi invariably does. He demonstrated that impulse, that absolute determination, to play the next game.

And there he was scoring the two need goals against Real Betis on Sunday which Barcelona won 2-1: The first to equalize the Mueller's record and the second to break the barrier and become the top goal scorer in the history of the football in  a calendar year.

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Three-time World Player of the Year Messi's attempt to break German Mueller's record looked set to falter after he was carried off on a stretcher during Barcelona's Champions League group game draw with Benfica on Wednesday.

Messi is now favourite to claim a fourth FIFA World Player of the Year award after making the three-man shortlist which also includes Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Read more about it at: | BBC Sport  | The NY Times |

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Messi with 82 goals all set to breaking German legend Gerd Mueller's record

Lionel Messi having scored 82 goals in 2012 is all set to break the German legend Gerd Mueller’s all-time record of 85 goals set in 1972.

German legend Gerd Mueller [left - 85 goals in 1972] - Lionel Messi [Right - 82 goals in 2012 and scoring!!]

Mueller’s previous record of 66 goals in 74 appearances in European Cups was exceeded by Raúl in the 2010 campaign while playing for the German side Schalke 04. Now, Mueller’s record of 85 goals (1972), the most goals scored  in a year, is in the danger of being equaled or even superseded by Messi. Messi is now trailing Mueller's record by three goals.

It may be added that the young blooded Argentinian Lionel Messi recently superseded Pelé's record of 75 goals made way back in 1958.

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But Mueller’s record will stand for a little longer after Barcelona decided to rest Messi in the King’s Cup against  Alaves.

via Business Recorder

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Lionel Messi supercedes Pele's high scoring world record

Brazilian Edison Arantes do Nascimento Pelé, the great name in the sport of football is remembered for his high goal score, which stood at 75 goals in one calendar year in an era when none other ever reached near him.

Pelé [left] scored 75 goals in 1958 - Messi [right] scored 76 goals in 2012

Now the young blooded Argentinian Lionel Messi has emerged as the greatest goal scoring football player ever as he supersedes Pelé's record and takes his tally a goal more than Pelé - that is 76 in the year 2012 so far. This means the record will be further improved in whatever remains of the year 2012.

Messi scored 64 goals for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina in only 59 appearances. At the age of only 25, Messi has shown promise to go down in the history as a legend, just as Pelé did.

This done, Messi will now be trying to surpass Gerd Muller's tally of 85 goals over a 12-month period. Gerd Muller scored 85 goals for Bayern Munich and West Germany in 60 games during 1972.

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Pele's record was broken during Barcelona's match with Mallorca, which the Barca won 4-2. It was Messi's 15th La Liga goal that made him surpass Pelé s reocrd, which he made way back in 1958.

Messi is once again the hot-favorite to win the Ballon d’Or Award. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will be Lionel Messi’s main competitor, however most analysts believe the Argentinean will edge out the former Manchester United striker.

So many congratulations, Messi!! You are on a road to making headlines - and history.

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FIFA Player of the Century

Football is one such game which has universal fans - one can see children playing football in dirt, fields and even streets. From here some of the best players of football rise to the heights of glory and fame. 

Pelé (L) and Maradona (R)

When talking of glory and fame, two names instantly come to mind: Pelé and Maradona. Both these players made headlines whenever they were playing or even when they were out sitting in the crowd. 

To honour the best football players ever, FIFA decided to give away one-off award "FIFA Player of the Century" to be given to the best football player of the 20th century. And quite obviously, FIFA could not decide on one name and had a unanimous decision to give away the award to Pele and Maradona, as both deserve to be remembered forever for their contribution to the game of football.

When deciding for the player of the century, Maradona won the Internet based poll by wide margins, garnering 53.6% of the votes against 18.53% for Pelé. In spite of this, and shortly before the ceremony, FIFA unexpectedly decided to add a second award and appointed a "Football Family" committee composed of football journalists that also gave to Pelé the title of best player of the century to make it a draw. Many suspected that Pelé was rewarded for his constant support of FIFA, in contrast to Maradona's frequent criticism.

Research Source: Wikipedia