PSG star nears big career landmarks

There isn’t much left for Lionel Messi to win in a truly astounding football career that has already seen the Paris Saint-Germain superstar claim just about every major trophy available to him, including multiple Champions League triumphs with Barcelona and that precious and previously elusive World Cup winner’s medal for Argentina.

Indeed, the only competition that Messi has played in and not won during his professional career is the Coupe de France, although he’ll have to wait until next season at least for that elusive piece of silverware after Marseille’s win over PSG on Feb. 8 stopped him completing his personal clean sweep.

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However, since making his senior debut in 2004, Messi has accumulated a truly vast number of honours and individual records. And, even at the age of 35, he’s still closing in on an array of significant landmark achievements.

Here we take a look at his trophy haul, his career stats and the impressive array of records he already holds, as well as a comprehensive rundown of the major career milestones he has in his sights with regular updates as he nears each of them.

Messi’s career trophies

Since turning pro 19 years ago, Messi has been stockpiling trophies at an absurdly consistent rate. In fact, 2013-14 and 2019-20 were the only trophyless seasons of his career (unless you count the “Pichichi” award as LaLiga’s top goal scorer that he won in 2019-20).

One of the most decorated players in football, the Argentine has 40 major honours to his name at club and international level, which leaves him just shy of former Barca teammate Dani Alves’ record haul of 46. Messi’s longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo has 34 trophies under his belt.

Messi has won more major trophies with Barcelona (35) than any other player in the Catalan club’s 123-year history. That total includes 10 LaLiga titles, eight Spanish Supercopas, seven Copa del Reys and four Champions Leagues (including 2005-06, when the teenaged Messi…