The irresistible Lionel Messi: MVP and more records
The Argentine forward impressed yet again in the Copa del Rey final
The 2020-21 Copa del Rey is the cup of Lionel Messi. It’s his first as captain of Barcelona and he scored a double in the 4-0 win over Athletic. He became, along with Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique, a seven-time winner of the competition, which only Athletic players Piru Gainza and one Maria Belauste had managed.
It’s also the Cup of Messi because with his two goals, in four minutes, he overtook another Athletic legend, Telmo Zarra, who was the top goalscorer in finals with eight goals. Messi has nine, now. And another fact from Mister Chip: Messi is the first player in the history of Spanish football to score in seven different finals. It was also his second brace in a final, after the 2015 game, and Zarra was the last person to do that in 1950. It was also Messi’s 35th trophy.
Barca’s No 10 is the fourth highest goalscorer in the tournament’s history with 56 goals, beating Edmundo Suarez (Valencia), who had 55.
He’s still some way away from Zarra (81), Josep Samitier (69) and Guillermo Gorostiza (64), but if he stays at Barca…
In any case, what’s sure is that until he says otherwise, he’s played his last final for Barcelona. His decision to leave or stay is coming in the weeks ahead, but for now he’s focusing on his 36th trophy, potentially tLa Liga. He keeps making records with every game he plays (771), each goal he scores (665), every one he assists (266), in each victory (539)….
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