Lionel Messi equals Pele’s goals record for one club with 643 for Catalan giants

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History made! Lionel Messi’s header in draw with Valencia sees Barcelona captain equal Brazilian icon Pele’s goals record for one club as he totals up 643 for Catalan giants

  • Lionel Messi has equalled Pele’s record for number of goals scored for one club
  • The Argentine met the record by scoring in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Valencia
  • Messi has scored the goals in 747 games compared to Pele’s 656 matches

By Faaez Samadi For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Lionel Messi added one more superhuman achievement to his long-running list of  football heroics on Saturday by equalling Pele‘s record for the most number of goals scored for one club.

The Argentine magician, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, notched up his 643rd goal for Barcelona in their 2-2 draw against Valencia on Saturday.

The feat takes him level with the legendary Brazilian, who scored as many goals in his playing career for Santos.  

Pele scored a staggering 643 goals for his Brazilian club Santos

Lionel Messi has equalled Pele’s record for the most number of goals scored for a single club

Messi's (centre) diving header in Barcelona's 2-2 draw against Valencia put him on 643 goals

Messi’s (centre) diving header in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw against Valencia put him on 643 goals 

It is another staggering accolade to add to the many Messi has achieved since joining Barcelona from Newell’s Old Boys in his early teens. 

Over his glittering career at the Nou Camp, the Argentine has amassed a whopping 24 trophies, including 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns. He has also won the Ballon d’Or six times. 

To date Messi’s numbers are almost unbelievable, notching up those 643 goals in just 747 games, with 258 assists as well. 

Messi could have broken Pele's record in the match if he had not missed a penalty earlier on

Messi could have broken Pele’s record in the match if he had not missed a penalty earlier on

That said, the man he shares the record with was no slouch. Pele’s 643 goals came in a barely believable 656 official matches, which is almost a goal every game. 

The Brazilian spent an incredible 18 years playing for Santos, before heading to America to join the New York Cosmos in his late career. 

The only thing Messi may regret is that he did not beat Pele’s record in the match, having scored with a diving header moments after missing a penalty.