Messi wants titles, not more history

Barcelona striker breaks Mueller’s record with 86th goal.

MADRID:

Lionel Messi insists that his record-breaking 86-goal haul in 2012 will count for nothing if Barcelona miss out on the La Liga and Champions League titles.

The Argentine star wrote his name into the history books by overhauling German legend Gerd Mueller’s 1972 record of 85 goals in a calendar year with a first-half double that helped his side to an important 2-1 win at Real Betis. But the 25-year-old was happier to highlight the win more than the record as his team eye a domestic and European double.

“I’ve said it a lot, it’s nice to make records but the win for the team is what is important and the points difference at the top,” said Messi. “My goals are to win titles with the team, the Spanish league, Spanish Cup or Champions League is more important than any personal records. My objective at the start of the season was to win another La Liga title.”

Messi is also in line to win a record fourth successive Ballon d’Or and faces competition from teammate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

“If Iniesta wins, it will be well-deserved for all that he has done, for the way he plays. Again, it will also be a prize for the dressing room.”

Five-goal Falcao hails unforgettable night

Radamel Falcao hailed an ‘unforgettable night’ after the coveted Atletico Madrid striker hit five goals past Deportivo Coruna to become the first man to achieve the feat in Spain’s top league in more than a decade.

Fernando Morientes was the last player to score five in a match playing for Real Madrid against Las Palmas in February 2002 and Falcao was the first to do so for Atletico as they won 6-0 to stay in second place, six points behind Barcelona.

“I scored five in a game when I was little in Bogota,” said Falcao. “And I got four playing for Porto against Villarreal but never five as a professional.  I was very excited when I came to Atletico Madrid. It was a personal challenge to play in this great league with such a lot of good players. I am enjoying it. I have a great squad around me who are supporting me and helping me a great deal to develop as a professional.”

Falcao took his tally in La Liga this season to 16 in 15 matches, three more than Real Madrid’s Ronaldo and seven behind top scorer Messi of Barcelona.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2012.