A WAR of words has erupted across the globe with stunning claims Lionel Messi’s extraordinary goal scoring run in 2012 is not a new record.
The Argentinean master incredibly scored two more goals this morning as Barcelona beat Cordoba 2-0 in the Copa del Ray to take his tally to 88 goals in 2012 – but he still needs another 20 to break the record, according to claims out of Zambia.
The 25-year-old created headlines around the world and was celebrated by many as the best ever footballer after he broke Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old record for the most goals scored in a calendar year earlier this week.
However, according to the Zambian FA, the record was never Muller’s to be broken, but was rather Kabwe Warriors striker Godfrey Chitalu who scored 107 goals, also in 1972.
The five-time Zambian player of the year’s feat was never officially recognised by FIFA, but Zambian officials have approached football’s governing body to have the goals officially recorded.
The midfielder, who played in three World Cup campaigns for the South Americans between 1978-86, scored 81 goals for the Rio-based club, seven with Brazil and one in a friendly.
“Messi has not bettered the record,” said Bruno Lucena, a club historian.
“If he had played the whole year, Zico would have without doubt scored more than 100 goals,” he said in reference to the fact that Zico missed a couple of months of the 1979 season through injury.
Zico, who last month stood down as coach of Iraq after previously managing Japan, Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow, scored 647 goals for clubs and 52 for Brazil in his 1971-1994 career.
Messi will have two more chances to better his own tally, with Barcelona playing two more games in 2012.