Lionel Messi Is Officially The Fourth-Highest Goalscorer In Football History

Lionel Messi's penalty in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Juventus means he is now the fourth-highest goalscorer in football history.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner played a key role in the Champions League clash, laying on an assist for Ousmane Dembele before grabbing a goal himself in injury time.

Tancredi Palermi has revealed Messi was on 720 goals prior to the game, tied with Gerd Muller in fifth place.

But he's now moved ahead of the German and sits on 721 career goals.

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Interestingly, it puts him two places and 21 goals behind longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, with Romario between them.

Check out the full list below.

13. Alfredo Di Stefano - 516 goals

12. Zico - 525 goals

11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 552 goals

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10. Arthur Friedenreich - 554 goals

9. Ferenc Deak - 558 goals

8. Eusebio - 615 goals

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7. Josef Bican - 636 goals

6. Ferenc Puskas - 706 goals

5. Gerd Muller - 720 goals

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4. Lionel Messi - 721 goals

3. Romario - 734 goals

2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 742 goals

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1. Pele - 767 goals

Messi's performance came just a day after Josep Bartomeu, who the 33-year-old mooted as a huge reason for his desire to leave Barcelona in the summer, resigned as president.

Ronald Koeman explained following the game that his side produced their best performances of the campaign.

"This was our best game all season," he explained per Goal. "This is a big win against an important European side and we were able to play the football we're trying to impose.

"I wanted us to play with three at the back, pushing one man forward to have extra in the middle of the pitch. That meant we created a lot of goal chances and, frankly, I think we should have finished the match off much earlier.

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"I'm very content with the football we played, with the result and especially with the character my team showed."

Starting in attack with Messi and Dembele was 17-year-old Pedri and he didn't look out of place.

When asked about the Spaniard's performance, teammate Frenkie de Jong told Mundo Deportivo: "Pedri? When there is talent, age does not matter."

Do you think Barcelona can challenge for the Champions League this season?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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