Will Messi break Mullers record?

If anyone watched Barcelona last night, you witnessed something truly dramatic. Messi, one goal away from beating Mullers all time record of most goals scored in a calendar year, rounded the keeper with ease only to then torres the finish. Worse, he went down in the process to an injury that seemed at the time very serious, causing him to be stretcherd off the pitch. This morning in a press interview, Messi stated that while he was in agony after the match, today the injury has been revealed to be nothing more than a minor knock.

Here's the dilemma - Barcelona have three more games this year. Messi is highly unlikely to be fit for the first of those on Sunday, but he should be okay for the second. He needs one goal - do you think it will happen?

From my perspective, letting him play purely to beat the record is unwise. He may not be 100% fit but he will definetely be going all out, a recipe that leads to making a minor injury a serious one. Best to let him rest, from a management perspective.

However, that would be a stupid tjing to make my official opinion. Of course I want him to play, and of course I want him to break the record. I have 100% confidence that Messi is the greatest footballer there ever has been, and should hold that title I expect well through my children's lives as well. He's only 25, think about that.

If he misses the next game I'm sure he will score one in the next 2 they have left this year.

How about Cardiff City put in an offer to loan him during the Spanish winter break should he not break the record in the 2/3 games for Barca?

I think as a manager, I'd play him. If you didn't you might risk upsetting the player, plus he really deserves it and as you say will be going all guns blazing. If he scores early then sub him.

The Cardiff loan idea (with a view to a permanent deal) is CLEARLY the best option though.

Or keep him on the bench in the hope that there is a penalty, then bring him on just before the kick is taken.

I'm going to say ,yes: He definitely will break the record.

Yes - me too.

Only went and did it didnt he. I thought Betis were really good second half and with a little bit of composure up front couldve taken at least a point.

So far this season in La Liga, in each game he has scored, he’s got at least 2 goals.
Incredible.

The fact he played was remarkable, playing well enough to score was something else. He was only cleared to go back to regular training the day before, most players would have at least a week back before becoming definetely match fit. Both him and Ronaldo put other players to shame with this sort of thing really.

Some interesting stats from the BBC - of his 86 goals this year, 76 were scored with his left foot, 7 with his right foot and 3 with his head. Also, 74 of the 86 were scored inside the box, and 12 (including 7 free kicks) outside the box.

So, all that's needed to stop him is to encase his left leg in plaster and then bury him up to his neck near the halfway line. Although even then he might score the occasional long range header.

Jose Mourhinho demonstrated the best way to deal with Messi, and I dare say he got closer than anyone to the solution. Quite simply, batter him. His Inter side handled Barca magnificently, if a bit anti footballing. He instructed his defenders to push, shove, trip or anything else it took to Messi whenever he touched the ball regardless of whether it gave a free kick or not (as long as it wasnt a truly dangerous area). He then instructed his side once try had the ball to counter Barca's slow build up by flooding the attacking end with virtually every outfield player they had. It wasnt pretty, but it was effective.

Is Mutch suspended?

No, but Mitch is. Keep up Trash...

Mitch = Cardiff City Legend.