LIONEL MESSI- THE AMAZING STATS BEHIND HIS 500 GOALS MILESTONE

LIONEL MESSI scored his 500th career goal in Barcelona’s latest loss to Valencia.

The amazing Argentinian, whose first professional came in stoppage time against Albacete on May 1, 2005, reached the landmark at the Nou Camp on Sunday in his 632rd game for club and country at a ratio of 0.79 goals a game.

That ratio is nearly twice as good in 525 games with Barcelona (0.86) as it is in 107 games for his country (0.47).

Messi is the top scorer in Barcelona history (450) and is now only four goals short of Gabriel Batistuta’s record of 54 for Argentina.

Messi celebrates scoring Barca's second in the 2011 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Action Images

Of his 500 goals, 51 per cent have been scored at the Camp Nou.

And Messi has scored in two different Champions League finals, both against Manchester United in 2009 and 2011.

Here, Sport gives the lowdown on the 500 goals mercurial Messi’s goal-littered career:

Opposition

Messi has actually scored against 88 different teams in his career.

He has fired 25 goals past Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, more than

against any other team.

He is the top scorer against Real Madrid in El Clasico with 21 goals, while he’s hit Valencia for 20, and Osasuna and Athletic Club for 19 each.

Messi is the top scorer in El Clasico with 21 goals Reuters

Messi scores from behind the goal in Barcelona training

Year By Year

His best ever year was 2012 when he delivered an astounding 91 goals. Next comes 2010 (61), 2011 (59), 2014 (58) and 2015 (52). So far in 2016 Messi has 26.

Season by Season

His most prolific season to date is 2011-12 (82) followed by 2012-13 (69), 2014-15 (62) and 2010-11 (57). In 2015-16 Messi has 42 goals.

Messi has won the Ballon d'Or five times including 2011-12 when he scored 92 times Reuters

When He’s Scored

Be especially aware of Messi in the last 15 minutes of a game because 129 of his 500 goals have come with time running out.

Time line: 1-15 mins 50; 16-30 mins 79; 31-45 mins 92; 46-60 mins 70; 61-75 mins 79; 76-90 mins 129; Extra Time 1

Penalties/Direct Free Kicks

Penalties: 64

Direct free kicks: 25

One of Messi's 64 successful spot kicks Reuters

Lionel Messi crossbar challenge - from a corner

Goals in Game

Messi has scored more than three goals 38 times. His record came in March 2012 when he scored five sagainst Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Foot/Head/Other

Left foot: 406 goals, right 71; head 21. other body part 2

Assist/Provider

Dani Alves (42) has assisted Messi the most times followed by Iniesta (33), Xavi (31) and Pedro (25).

Dani Alves has provided 42 assists for Messi Getty Images

Competition

Barcelona: La Liga 309; Champions League 83; Copa del Rey 39; Spanish Super Cup 11; European Super Cup 3; Club World Cup 5; Copa America 3

Argentina: Friendlies 27; World Cup 5; World Cup qualifiers 15

What a stat?

Credit: The Sun Football