When discussing the pantheon of footballing greatness, one name consistently rises above the rest: Lionel Messi.
While the debate over the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) often relies on subjective “eye tests” and emotional bias, the 2018-2019 season provided a mountain of empirical evidence that effectively settled the argument.
That year, Messi was once again named “The Best” by FIFA, a title supported by 17 distinct milestones that showcase a level of dominance rarely seen in professional sports.
This detailed exploration breaks down those 17 reasons why Messi remains the gold standard of football excellence, focusing on the records that define his legacy.
1. The Pinnacle of Club Success: 34 Major Titles
In the high-stakes environment of elite European football, longevity is rare, but sustained winning is almost impossible. By the conclusion of the 2018-2019 campaign, Lionel Messi had secured 34 total trophies with FC Barcelona.
This achievement didn’t just add to his personal cabinet; it placed him as the most decorated player in the history of the club, surpassing every legend who had previously worn the Blaugrana shirt.
2. The Mastery of La Liga: A 10th League Championship
Winning a domestic league once is a career highlight; winning it ten times is a dynasty. Messi’s 10th La Liga title set a new benchmark for individual success within FC Barcelona.
This feat placed him within striking distance of the all-time Spanish record of 12 titles held by Francisco Gento, further cementing his status as the most successful player in the modern era of Spanish football.
3. The Art of the Goal: A Record-Tying Sixth Pichichi Trophy
Goal-scoring is the most difficult skill in football, yet Messi makes it look routine. In the 2018-19 season, he netted 36 goals in just 34 league appearances.
This performance earned him his sixth Pichichi Trophy, tying the legendary Telmo Zarra for the most in history. To match a record that had stood since 1955 highlights how Messi’s scoring prowess bridges different eras of the game.
4. Continental Dominance: The Sixth European Golden Shoe
Messi’s scoring wasn’t just the best in Spain; it was the best in all of Europe. By securing his sixth Golden Shoe, he became the top domestic goalscorer across the entire continent for the third consecutive year.
This consistency is what separates him from “one-season wonders”—he has maintained a world-class scoring rate for over a decade.
5. Conquering the Champions League Stage
The UEFA Champions League is often cited as the ultimate test of a player’s quality. Messi rose to the challenge by leading the competition with 12 goals in only 10 matches.
This was the sixth time in his career that he finished as the top scorer in Europe’s premier club competition, proving he can perform against the most elite defenses in the world.
6. The “Untouchable” Milestone: 600 Barça Goals
During this period, Messi reached a figure that seems like something out of a video game: 600 career goals for FC Barcelona.
This milestone did more than just extend his own club record; it established a total so high that it may never be broken by another player in the history of the club.
7. Breaking the 400-Goal Barrier in La Liga
While many great strikers struggle to reach 100 or 200 goals in a top-flight league, Messi became the first player to ever reach the 400-goal plateau in the Spanish First Division.
This record is a testament to his longevity and his ability to adapt his game as he transitioned from a speedy winger to a clinical finisher and playmaker.
8. The “Half-Century” Habit: Scoring 50+ Goals in a Season
Consistency at the highest level is Messi’s trademark. Across all competitions in 2018-19, he scored 51 goals in 50 games.
This marked the sixth time in his career that he had reached the half-century mark in a single season. His scoring was distributed across all fronts: 36 in the league, 12 in Europe, and 3 in the domestic cup.
9. The Ultimate Winner: Most Victories in La Liga History
Success isn’t just about individual stats; it’s about winning. Messi surpassed the legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to become the all-time leader for wins in La Liga history.
At the time, he moved past Casillas’s mark of 334 career wins, proving that a team with Messi is statistically more likely to win than any other.
10. Surpassing Club Icons: The Most Wins in Barça History
Messi’s impact on Barcelona’s winning culture is undeniable. He surpassed his former teammate and mentor, Xavi Hernandez, to record his 477th win across all competitions—the most for any player in the history of the club.
He famously secured this record-breaking win with a spectacular hat-trick on the road against Real Betis.
11. The Dead-Ball Specialist: King of Free Kicks
One of the most evolved parts of Messi’s game is his free-kick ability. In the 2018-19 season, he scored six direct free-kick goals in La Liga, which was more than any other player in the top five European leagues (Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and England).
When including the Champions League, his total for the season rose to eight direct free-kick goals.
12. The Complete Player: Leading the League in Assists
What truly makes Messi “The Best” is that he is as much a creator as he is a finisher. In addition to being the league’s top scorer, he also led La Liga in assists with 13.
This dual-threat capability—being both the best scorer and the best passer—is a rare combination that few players in history have ever possessed.
13. International Resilience: Copa América Success
While his club success is often the focus, Messi’s leadership of the Argentine national team remains a core part of his “Best” status. He led his country to the semifinals of the Copa América, eventually securing a bronze medal after a victory against Chile.
14. Unmatched Longevity: 11 Seasons of 20+ Goals
Many players have a “prime” that lasts three or four years. Messi’s prime has lasted for over a decade. He is the only player in history to score at least 20 league goals for 11 consecutive seasons, a streak that began back in the 2008-09 season.
15. A Copa del Rey Legend: 50+ Career Goals
Messi’s dominance extends to every competition he enters. With his goals in the 2018-19 season, he reached 51 total goals in the Copa del Rey.
This placed him as the second-highest scorer in the history of the competition for Barcelona, trailing only Josep Samitier’s record of 64.
16. The Hat-Trick King: 50 Career Triples
Scoring three goals in a single game is a career-defining moment for most players. For Messi, it is a regular occurrence.
During a match against Sevilla, he recorded his 50th career hat-trick. Of these 50 triples, 44 were scored for FC Barcelona and 6 were for the Argentina national team.
17. Performance in the Biggest Moments
Finally, Messi proved his worth by performing when the pressure was highest. He became the first player in history to score in six different Copa del Rey finals.
Although the 2019 final did not result in a trophy, his goal against Valencia set yet another record that highlights his ability to deliver in championship-defining matches.
Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Comparison
The 17 reasons listed above are more than just statistics; they are a blueprint of what it means to be a complete footballer.
From the technical precision of his free kicks to the sheer volume of his goals and his unmatched winning record, Lionel Messi’s 2018-2019 season was a microcosm of his entire career.
He doesn’t just play the game; he rewrites its history every time he steps onto the pitch.
