Messi confirms he is joining Inter Miami: Decoding his stats
What's the story
Lionel Messi has confirmed he is joining Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. Messi's PSG deal expires on June 30 and post that he will sign as an Inter Miami player. Messi had a chance to go to Saudi Arabia but he snubbed the same and a possible deal with Barcelona never materialized. Here we decode Messi's stats.
Context
Why does this story matter?
"I've taken the decision that I am going to Miami," Messi told Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo. "[I decided] to leave Europe." He also said he snubbed the Saudi move as money wasn't the factor. "If it had been a matter of money, I'd have gone to Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me," Messi added.
Barca
Messi's Barca deal didn't materialize
Messi said he wanted to return to Barca as he had that dream. But after what happened two years ago, he did not want to be in the same situation again. He said he didn't want to leave his future in the hands of someone else. "I wanted to take my own decision, thinking of me and my family," said Messi.
Europe
Messi's European club career in numbers
Messi played 778 matches for Barcelona, managing a record 672 goals. Messi managed 269 assists for Barcelona. In the summer of 2021, he moved to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. In two seasons at PSG, Messi scored 32 goals and provided 34 assists. Overall, Messi's European club career saw him make 853 appearances, scoring 704 goals, and making 303 assists.
Information
Unique record for Messi
As per Squawka, since turning 30 at the start of the 2017-18 season, Messi has been directly involved in more league goals than any other player in Europe's top five divisions - 196 games, 147 goals, and 85 assists.
Do you know?
Messi is the top scorer in European club career football
Messi's 704 goals tally is the highest for any player in European club football. Recently, Messi joined Cristiano Ronaldo (701) as the second player to score 700-plus goals.
UCL
Messi's records in the Champions League
Messi is the second-highest scorer in the UEFA Champions League (129), behind Ronaldo (140). Messi's 120 goals for Barcelona is a record for a single club in the Champions League. Messi has the joint-highest number of hat-tricks (8) alongside Ronaldo. Messi holds the record for most goals in the R16 (29). He holds the record for the most goals in the group stage (80).
Barca
Messi's records in La Liga
Most goals: 474 Most assists: 192 Most hat-tricks: 36 Most goals in a calendar year: 59 Most assists in a season: 21 (2019-20) Most goals scored in a season: 50 (2011-12) Most goals scored from direct free kicks: 39 Most opponents scored against in La Liga history: 38 Most Pichichi awards (La Liga top scorer): 8 Most La Liga Best Player awards: 6
Leagues
Messi is the top scorer in Europe's top five leagues
Messi has 496 career goals in Europe's top five leagues, steering clear of his arch-rival Ronaldo, who clocked 495 on matchday 37 in Ligue 1 2022-23. Messi slammed a record 474 goals in 520 La Liga games for Barcelona. He also smashed 22 league goals for PSG, including 16 in 2022-23.
Honors
38 club career honors
Messi won a record 35 club career honors with Barcelona. Liga: 10, Spanish Super Cup: 8, Copa del Rey: 7, Champions League: 4, Club World Cup: 3, and European Super Cup: 3. He went on to win two Ligue 1 titles with PSG, besides the Trophee des Champions in 2022.