ARGENTINA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Argentines proud to see favourite son Messi set new goal-scoring record

Record ID: 447292

  • Title: ARGENTINA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Argentines proud to see favourite son Messi set new goal-scoring record
  • Date: 10th December 2012
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MESSI TRAINING WITH ARGENTINE SELECTION
  • Embargoed: 25th December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVACE6UD2OBN6GOKAM0MPSMLDD7L
  • Story Text: Soccer-mad Argentines proud that forward Lionel Messi broke Gerd Muller's 1972 goal-scoring record.

    Argentine soccer sensation Lionel Messi continued to wow fans with a new goal-scoring record on Sunday (December 9).
    During Sunday's match against Real Betis, the 25-year-old Barcelona forward scored his 86th goal of the calendar year, breaking the 1972 record set by German football legend Gerd Muller.
    The newest feat by the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year littered newspaper headlines around the world and in his native Argentina.
    "I think he's the best and we should have him here. After Diego [Maradona] he's the best," said Adrian Merelli, a Buenos Aires resident.
    "It makes me emotional. He's a very humble guy who generally stirs emotion," said added Nestor Cinovitch, another resident of the city.
    Messi, also the captain of Argentina's national team, is considered by many as the best soccer player on the planet.
    "That he breaks records almost seems normal. He is from another planet, everything he does is marvellous. In Chile we follow him a lot. I don't know if he is the best player in history, but he is by far the best player right now. Also, I think he's the heart of Barcelona. And, if he continues there, he will probably continue breaking records. That's what I think," said Chilean tourist Andres Celli.
    After being carried off the pitch on a stretcher during last week's Champions League game against Benfica, some feared that Messi's chance of breaking the score record was over.
    But, the left knee injury couldn't stop the three-time Ballon D'Or winner.
    "I think Messi exceeds all the expectations in Argentina and in the rest of the world. And I don't think anybody is going to stop him. It's like that. He's great," said Paula Perez Villa.
    With Sunday's record under his belt, the "Pulga" or the "flea" as he is affectionately known in Argentina, is now favourite to claim a fourth FIFA World Player of the Year award.
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