Happy birthday Leo! A list of records and achievements held by Lionel Messi

A collage of Lionel Messi. Pictures/ AFP

Argentine football captain and Barcelona mainstay Lionel Messi celebrates his 34th birthday today. Lionel Messi has been ranked among the top two footballers for over a decade and has conquered the sports in every which way he could in the past 17 years.

Messi made his debut for La Liga club Barcelona in 2004 and has gone on to become a legend in the league ever since with the most goals and appearances for the team. Messi debuted for the Argentina national team a year later in 2005 and has become the leading goalscorer for the country. Lionel Messi also led Argentina to the final at the FIFA World Cup 2014 edition.

Messi has etched his name in the history books due to his numerous achievements in football for club and country.

On his birthday, we take a look at the many records set by The Magician' since he stepped into the world of football.

- Most Ballon d'Or awards - 6

- Highest goal scorer in La Liga history - 474

- All-time record goalscorer for Barcelona - 672 goals

- Most appearances for Barcelona - 778 games

- Most goals overall for an Argentine footballer - 73

- Most goals scored for Barcelona in a single season in all competitions - 73

- Most European Golden Shoe awards - 6

- Fastest footballer to reach 300 and 400 goals in European top leagues

- Most hat-tricks scored in La Liga history: 36

- Most hat-tricks scored in a La Liga season - 8

- Joint-leader (with Cristiano Ronaldo) for most hat-tricks in UEFA Champions League history- 8

- Most goals scored in a single La Liga season - 50

- Most hat-tricks for Barcelona and in La Liga overall - 36

- Most goals scored in a European Cup/ Champions League game - 5

Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes joint top-scorer in men's international football