Tuesday’s game between Maccabi Haifa and Paris Saint-Germain included two spectacular goals from PSG’s Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi.
Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Maccabi Haifa 7-2 with Messi opening the scoring as they ran riot in the Champions League.
Maccabi made it difficult for PSG by scoring goals to keep the match reasonably close, but Christophe Galtier’s team had too much offense, with Messi putting in a stunning display.
2 goals and 2 assists for Lionel Messi in a dominant PSG performance 😳 pic.twitter.com/tpvCIrRFgs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 25, 2022
However, it was Messi’s second goal which was a deft strike from outside the box that grabbed media attention.
Since making his debut in 2004/05, the Argentine has scored 23 goals outside of the penalty area, one more than Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Opta.
Messi had previously broken another of Ronaldo’s Champions League records in PSG’s first group stage meeting with Maccabi.
He became the first player to score against 39 different teams in the competition, tied with Ronaldo on 38 before the UCL opener.
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Messi, who is 35 years and 123 days old, is also now the oldest player to have two goals and an assist in a single Champions League match, according to Opta.
He is also currently the only player to score 10+ goals and provide 10+ assists in all competitions among players in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
The 35-year-old is undeniably back to his superhuman best and will aim to continue his ruthless form for PSG in the final stretch of domestic matches before next month’s World Cup, where he will once again captain Argentina.
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