• The Grand National is the biggest horse racing betting event of the year

• In 2021, Rachael Blackmore became the first female rider to join the Grand National winners list after her success on Minella Times

• Here are our top 10 best Grand National winners in the history of the famous Aintree race

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No horse race in the world grabs the public’s imagination like the Grand National, and the stories behind the winners are quite often very endearing for a whole host of reasons.

Some National winners have had movies made about them; others have had future races named in their honour. Grand National winners are rarely forgotten.

Here we take a look at 10 formers winners of the world’s greatest steeplechase and of course, take a walk down memory lane as we do.

Red Rum (1977)

When Rummy lined up as a 12-year-old in 1977 many believed that his best racing days were behind him and that a third historic win was simply out of the question.

With regular jockey Brian Fletcher replaced by Tommy Stack, things did not augur well for Ginger McCain’s Aintree favourite.

Carrying top-weight of eleven stone and eight pounds and sent off a 9/1 chance in Grand National tips, Red Rum took the lead at the twenty-second fence Becher’s Brook on the second circuit, following the departure of favourite Andy Pandy, and stormed home to an unprecedented third win in the race, twenty-five lengths clear of his nearest rival.

Excerpts from Sir Peter O’Sullevan’s famous commentary go:

“They’re willing him home now! The 12-year-old Red Rum, being preceded only by loose horses... He gets a tremendous reception, you’ve never heard one like it at Liverpool… and Red Rum wins the National!”

Aldaniti (1981) 

The story of Aldaniti and Bob Champion is somewhat of a fairytale.

Diagnosed with testicular cancer and told he had eight months to live, Bob Champion battled back from the disease and was reunited with Aldaniti for the 1981 running of the Grand National.

After almost coming to grief at the first fence, the pair got into a great rhythm and took the lead from the ninth fence. Although tiring and drifting in live betting odds at the end, Champion and Aldaniti held on to score by four lengths from Spartan Missile.

A movie called “Champions” was made about the story.

Corbiere (1983)

Trainer Jenny Pitman put women in racing on the map in 1983 when she became the first woman to saddle the winner of the Grand National.

Corbiere, ridden by Ben de Haan, held on to win by three-quarters of a length from the famous Irish runner Greasepaint.

From that point onwards Jenny Pitman was nicknamed the ‘first lady of Aintree’.

Lord Gyllene (1997)

Lord Gylllene’s victory in 1997 was truly remarkable because unforeseen external factors caused the National to be run on a Monday.

A bomb scare turned plunged Saturday afternoon’s race into chaos after the entire course had to be evacuated.

Jockeys, trainers, owners and racegoers reconvened 48 hours later, where they saw Lord Gyllene and Tony Dobbin powering to a 25-length success.

Mon Mome (2009)

The only triple figure winner of the modern era returning at a massively overpriced 100/1 and he did it with some ease - 12 lengths to be exact.

Trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by the late Liam Treadwell, the Vida Bingham-owned runner showed the true spirit of the Grand National sweepstake underdog in the 2009 renewal.

Prior to this “shock” win, it had been 42 years since Foinavon, the last 100/1 victor, had become synonymous with the magic of the Grand National. The big difference being however, Mon Mome’s victory was no fluke.

Foinavon (1967)

This race was so crazy and obscure that they went on to name one of the Grand National fences after the winner in this particular year.

A 23rd fence pileup by two loose horses caused all 28 of the 40 runners still in the race to either fall, refuse or unseat, with the unlikely benefactor turning out to be the 100/1 outsider Foinavon, who emerged from the pack still partnered by his jockey John Buckingham.

Several remounted horses tried to catch Foinavon up but to no avail as he totally capitalised on his 30 length head start.

Mr Frisk (1990)

The Kim Bailey-trained Mr Frisk will always make the shortlist for any greatest Grand National compilation for the simple reason that his fastest ever winning time will never be broken.

Changes to the safety of the Aintree course in 2013 mean that horses like Mr Frisk will never again encounter the rattling quick fast ground that Bailey’s horse did in 1990.

Ridden by the amateur Mr Marcus Armytage, the pair completed the race in a sub-nine minute time of 8 minutes and 47.8 seconds.

West Tip (1986)

When West Tip, ridden by Richard Dunwoody, won the Grand National in 1986 it was a miracle that the popular steeplechaser was even there at all as two years prior the gelding was almost killed in a road traffic accident.

“Tippy” suffered injuries in his hind quarters after colliding with a truck and still bore two ugly scars, each a foot long when he landed Aintree’s greatest race.

A stalwart of the mid-1980’s, West Tip finished fourth in the next two runnings of the race, then in 1989, when firmly a veteran, he came second. After finishing 10th in 1990 he was graciously retired.

Don’t Push It (2010)

After 14 attempts at the great race it was beginning to look like the multiple-time champion jockey A.P McCoy was never going add to the Grand National to his illustrious CV.

However in 2010, McCoy had the first choice of all the JP McManus-owned runners entered in the field and he opted for the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It.

The rest is history as they say, and for the great jockey, a lifetime’s ambition achieved - much to the delight of Grand National betting punters.

Minella Times (2021)

Minella Times will go down in the annuls of Aintree as the very first horse to be ridden to victory in the Grand National by a female a rider, there is no doubt about that.

Rachael Blackmore made history at Aintree racecourse in 2021 on the Henry De Bromhead-trained 11/1 shot in the 173rd renewal of the historic race.

Female jockeys have only been allowed to enter and race in the Grand National since 1975, when the Sex Discrimination Act was passed.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Scott Heppell, Pool / AP Photo*

 

• Conor McGregor is one of the biggest icons in UFC history

• Notorious has formed rivalries with several UFC stars, including Nate Diaz, Jose Aldo and Khabib Nurmagomedov

• Read up on the best and funniest Conor McGregor quotes here at 888sport

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Everyone knows who Conor McGregor is. An iconic sporting figure, McGregor has been one of the dominant forces in mixed martial arts during the UFC era.

Whether you bet on UFC regularly or not, McGregor is known around the world and he often finds himself in the news – though not always in a positive light.

Some of the best Conor McGregor quotes have come in the immediate aftermath of fights, with UFC interviews earning millions of views from all four corners of the globe.

Sports betting fans know all about McGregor and Notorious isn’t afraid to speak his mind – he certainly doesn’t lack confidence and charisma.

The most controversial Conor McGregor quotes don’t make this list, instead we’ve opted for some of the comments and responses that show off Notorious’ self-belief.

Best Conor McGregor Quotes:

1. “Me and Jesus are cool. I’m cool with all the gods. Gods recognize gods.”

2. “It’s not really that much big of a deal – you brush it off and you come back. Defeat is the secret ingredient to success.”

3. “All that matters is how you see yourself.”

4. “Doubt is only removed by action. If you’re not working then that’s where doubt comes in.”

5. “I have never encountered a winner that held hate towards something.”

6. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. Keep proving people wrong and proving myself right.”

7. “At the end of the day, you’ve gotta feel some way. So why not feel unbeatable? Why not feel untouchable?”

8. “I keep having vivid dreams of success. Then it’s time to sleep.”

9. “I was always a dreamer, and my first ambition was to be a footballer. I’d be out in the field doing drills after it got dark at night. So I had that passion to get somewhere and a drive to do something. I did love football and was always more into playing it than watching it. When I found combat sport, however, it just took over. It’s non-stop now.”

10. “Failure is not an option for me. Success is all I envision.”

11. “It’s a tough pill to swallow but we can either run from adversity or we can face our adversity head on and conquer it. And that’s what I plan to do.”

12. “Excellence is not a skill. Excellence is an attitude.”

13. “The only weight I give a fuck about is the weight of the cheques and my cheques are super-heavyweight."

14. “I stay ready so I don’t have to get ready.”

15. “Do I hate my opponents? How can I hate someone who has the same dreams as me?”

16. “There’s no talent here, this is hard work. This is an obsession. Talent does not exist, we are all equals as human beings. You could be anyone if you put in the time. You will reach the top, and that’s that. I am not talented, I am obsessed.”

17. “One king gets old, then a young gorilla comes up and kills him, and takes everything he owns.”

18. “Approach everything with an open mind, with a learning mind. You will never stop learning as long as you keep the mind-set that everything works, because everything does work. There’s a time and a place for every single move. If you work on it enough, it will work.”

19. “Be grateful with everything you have and you will be successful in everything you do.”

20. “My success isn’t a result of arrogance. It’s a result of belief.”

21. “If you’re asking would I like to fight Floyd Mayweather — I mean, who would not like to dance around the ring for $180 million?”

22. “There’s people that focus on the game and forget about the art. There’s that specific individual that can do both.”

23. “You can’t fear success and I think a lot of people do. I think a lot of people fear the really high heights. But I am not one of those people… I’m not like that. I’m going for it.”

24. “I’m going to the stars and then past them.”

25. “I wish everyone well, but you need to focus on yourself. You need to stop putting your hand out. Everyone wants handouts. Everyone wants things for free. You’ve got to put in the world, you’ve got to grind, you’ve got to go through the struggle, and you’ve got to get it.”

26. “We’re not just here to take part. We’re here to take over.”

27. “Winner focus on winning. Losers focus on winners.”

28. “These custom-made suits aren’t cheap. This solid gold pocket watch, three people died making this watch. I need to put people away. I need those big fights. I’m going to end up in debt pretty fast."

29. “Smart work pays best. Trust it.”

30. “Don’t hide nothing. Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind. Don’t care about what other people thing. Be yourself: you are what you are.”

31. “If you deserve it, go get it.”

32. “Nothing good ever comes from worrying or sitting there feeling sorry for yourself… keep positive and keep pushing on and things will turn good.”

33. “What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”

34. “I am cocky in prediction. I am confident in preparation. But I am always humble in victory or defeat.”

35. “I’m not going to get somewhere and say, ‘OK, I’m done.’ Success is never final; I’ll just keep going. The same way as failure never being fatal. Just keep going. I’m going to the stars and then past them.”

36. “When I say something is going to happen, it’s going to happen.”

37. “You might win some, you might lose some. But you go in, you challenge yourself, you become a better man, a better individual, a better fighter.”

38. “Always look to learn. Learning something new is a great feeling. The feeling of progress.”

39. “I take inspiration from everyone and everything. I’m inspired by current champions, former champions, true competitors, people dedicated to their dream, hard workers, dreamers, believers, achievers.”

40. “Look out for those who look out for you. Loyalty is everything.”

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to John Locher / AP Photo*

• Tyson Fury is one of the biggest names in the world of boxing

• Fury shocked the world when defeating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015

• Not afraid to speak his mind, Tyson Fury quotes have sparked controversy in the past

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One of the most controversial figures in sport, Tyson Fury has been a dominant star in the world of boxing for the best part of a decade.

Boxing betting fans will recall that victory over Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 as one of the best underdog performances in the history of the sport.

Nobody has questioned Tyson Fury’s boxing ability but his mouth has landed him in hot water on more than one occasion over the years.

However, the best Tyson Fury quotes relate to his recent battle with mental health and the self-belief that he is the best heavyweight boxer on the planet.

While some boxers prefer to keep schtum in the media, Tyson Fury quotes often have journalists and boxing fans on the edge of their seat.

Without further ado, it’s time to look at some of the biggest Tyson Fury comments – from outrageous press conference quotes to explosive interview rants.

Best Tyson Fury Quotes:

1. “Mental health has got to be the biggest battle I’ve ever fought with, more than any opponent.”

2. “The past is in the past. What happened yesterday is history. I look forward to the future on daily basis.”

3. “I pray for forgiveness, for help and guidance, to be a better person, for the health of my family, for the world to be a better place.”

4. “If enough people talk about mental health, then it’s gonna raise more and more awareness and soon or later this crisis will have to be addressed properly.”

5. “People really don’t understand about mental health problems unless you’ve been through it. Looking from the outside in, people say well, that’s an idiot. He’s got everything going for him and he’s still not happy. If I knew what it was, then I’d have fixed it straight away.”

6. “Whatever is conventional, I am the opposite. So if you want to walk in a straight line, I am going to walk in zig zags. If you want to throw a 1-2, I’ll throw a 2-1.”

7. “Racism is a sign of ignorance, in my opinion. It is people who haven’t been anywhere, haven’t seen the world.”

8. “I had everything but it didn’t mean anything. I wanted to die on a daily basis. So material goods are only good for when things are going right in your life.”

9. “If anyone wants to abuse other people for whatever colour, race or creed they are, then it’s just stupidness, isn’t it?”

10. “People can say what they want about me. But I’ve got a big heart and will keep going.”

11. “Sometimes emotions can win fights. Sometimes letting your feelings out in a fight can win you the fight. When it means the world to you, it’s not just a sports contest – a boxing match for money or belts.”

12. “You can have everything in life and feel like crap on a daily basis because no one can see inside the mind.”

13. “Every time I stray away from the Lord’s word, I find emptiness and darkness.”

14. “Foolish people follow the system, get caught up in media news, what the government wants you to believe and all the higher powers want you to believe and go down the same path as all the sheep in the cattle market.”

15. “I’ve been as low as anybody can go and as high as anyone can go, and you can always overcome these problems that one may have.”

16. “It won’t be a great day every day. I used to wake up and think, why did I not die in the sleep last night. But there will be rose-coloured sunshine days again. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but seek medical advice and it will get better, I promise you this.”

17. “At the end of the day, we’re all brothers and sisters in God. What people do is none of my business.”

18. “I can sit here as a man who has experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows, and I know exactly what you’re going through. But my message to you today is, help is around the corner.”

19. “I’m not even scared of the devil. If the devil confronted me, I’d confront him as well.”

20. “Nothing can make depression go away except medical advice and seeking medical help basically.”

21. “If mental health can bring somebody as big and as strong as me to my knees, then it can bring anybody to the knees.”

22. “You can take a man out of Ireland, but you can’t take the Irishness out of the man.”

23. “I fight for those people: all the oppressed, depressed, alcoholics, drug addicts. I fight to give them hope every day so they can wake up in the morning and know there’s somebody out there fighting for us.”

24. “What do I see when I look in the mirror? One handsome man. No, I see the same person I have seen for the last 27 years: the person I believed I could be when I was a child, the person I have inspired and dreamed to be all my life, and that’s the person I have seen, from being that big to as big as the roof – the same guy.”

25. “All I care about is providing and living every day. I don’t care about world titles, being a legend, or being a hero.”

26. “How many people have different opinions in this world? Every different person has a different opinion of what that bottle really is or what colour it is. If I say that bottle is clear, there will be someone out there telling me that bottle is green or blue.”

27. “I’m a fighting man, a fighting man with generations of fighting men before me in my family. That’s all we do: we fight.”

28. “If I can show the world that you can come back from it (depression), and get back in shape and to the top, then anybody can do it.”

29. “To come back from the brink of no return to get back to the top of the world, that is gonna be a statement for mental health itself.”

30. “For me, it’s about being a star, being a superstar, and not just winning a world title but becoming the best-ever British fighter this country has ever had. That is what I am, and that’s what I intend to do.”

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Richard Vogel / AP Photo*

 

• The first Liverpool vs Chelsea fixture took place on 25th December 1907

• According to Chelsea vs Liverpool stats, the Reds have won 82 of the 188 meetings between the two clubs

• Liverpool have lost just one of their last six Premier League matches vs Chelsea

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Two of the biggest clubs in European football, Liverpool and Chelsea have enjoyed plenty of success over the years – both domestically and across the continent.

Historically, Liverpool are the bigger club but Chelsea’s meteoric rise to power in the Roman Abramovich era has seen the Blues cement their status amongst Europe’s elite.

While Manchester United and Everton remain the first fixtures that Liverpool fans look for at the start of the season, the Chelsea vs Liverpool rivalry has intensified since 2005.

Now, the Liverpool vs Chelsea 2021 fixtures are likely to be viewed as crucial in the Premier League title race and it could be one of the games of the entire campaign.

Without further ado, it’s time to look at the history of Chelsea vs Liverpool, with LFC vs CFC head to head statistics taking centre stage for football betting fans.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Rivalry:

The Liverpool vs Chelsea rivalry intensified during the mid-2000s after Roman Abramovich’s takeover of the club allowed the Blues to climb the European football ladder.

Liverpool are the most successful English club in European football history and a fierce rivalry with Chelsea ensued as the two teams frequently matched up in the Champions League.

A war of words between Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez also contributed to the growing animosity between supporters, with the Portuguese famously shushing Liverpool fans in the League Cup final in 2005.

Chelsea came out on top in Cardiff that day and Mourinho became public enemy number one at Anfield – and this was the beginning of a new, exciting rivalry in English football.

It felt like Chelsea vs Liverpool was a weekly fixture at one point, with the clubs averaging five meetings per season between 2005/06 and 2007/08.

These two giants of English football were drawn together in the Champions League in every campaign between 2004/05 and 2008/09, further fuelling the rivalry.

In recent years, the rivalry has calmed down somewhat but Chelsea vs Liverpool still carries importance – particularly with standout moments like Steven Gerrard’s slip impacting the outcome of the Premier League title.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Head to Head:

The H2H record between Chelsea and Liverpool is relatively close, with the Reds enjoying a slight edge over their rivals.

While there isn’t much to separate the teams in Liverpool vs Chelsea goals statistics, the Reds have won 82 matches while Chelsea have claimed victory on 65 occasions.

However, we see a slightly different story when you break down that record into individual competitions – for example, Chelsea have won seven of their 11 FA Cup meetings with Liverpool.

In addition, five of the 10 European Liverpool vs Chelsea fixtures have ended in a draw. This information is particularly useful for sports betting statistics fans…

Here are some of the most important Chelsea vs Liverpool H2H stats, including wins, goals scored and more…

• Liverpool wins vs Chelsea: 82

• Liverpool vs Chelsea draws: 41

• Chelsea wins vs Liverpool: 65

• Liverpool goals vs Chelsea: 278

• Chelsea goals vs Liverpool: 276

Chelsea vs Liverpool Premier League Results:

If you look specifically at the Liverpool vs Chelsea results in the Premier League era, the balance of power shifts slightly in favour of the Blues.

The Liverpool vs Chelsea Premier League H2H record still has the Reds leading with 23 wins but the west London outfit have more or less held their own with 21 victories.

Meanwhile, 14 of the 58 Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool have ended in a draw – which shows how evenly matched these teams are.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Premier League H2H Record:

• Liverpool – 23 wins

• Draw – 14

• Chelsea – 21 wins

Chelsea vs Liverpool Premier League goals:

• Liverpool – 74

• Chelsea – 69

Next Liverpool vs Chelsea match:

According to the latest Premier League fixtures, Liverpool vs Chelsea will take place on Saturday 28th August 2021 at 5:30pm.

With a capacity crowd back at Anfield for the first time in almost two years, this could be a Liverpool vs Chelsea match to remember if everything goes to plan.

Premier League odds will be available on this fixture and other Chelsea vs Liverpool matches ahead of each upcoming meeting.

Next Chelsea vs Liverpool match:

The fixture schedule for the 2021/22 Premier League campaign sees Chelsea vs Liverpool taking place on Saturday 1st January 2022.

While a time is yet to be confirmed for that clash, another mouth-watering Liverpool vs Chelsea match is the ideal way to bring in the New Year.

By this stage of the season, we should know whether the two clubs are genuine Premier League title contenders or not – and that could add some spice to proceedings.

Biggest Liverpool Win vs Chelsea:

Liverpool 6-0 Chelsea on 19th April 1935.

Biggest Chelsea Win vs Liverpool:

Chelsea 6-1 Liverpool on 27th August 1937.

Who Has Beaten Chelsea The Most?

Liverpool have an excellent record in this fixture, claiming more league wins over Chelsea than any other English club.

Liverpool vs Chelsea hasn’t been the best fixture for the Blues, with the Reds faring better than any other Premier League club against the Stamford Bridge outfit.

In league competition, Liverpool have defeated Chelsea a record 69 times – with Arsenal and Manchester United notching 64 and 63 wins respectively against the Blues.

Furthermore, Liverpool have the best Premier League record against Chelsea with 23 wins over the Blues. It would be fair to state that Liverpool vs Chelsea has been a favourable fixture for the Reds…

Most Chelsea vs Liverpool Appearances

Jamie Carragher has played in Liverpool vs Chelsea more times than anyone else, making 45 appearances for the Reds against the west London outfit.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard isn’t far behind though with 40 appearances in this fixture while Frank Lampard and John Terry both featured in 39 Chelsea vs Liverpool matches.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Top Goal Scorer

Ian Rush has scored more goals in Chelsea vs Liverpool matches than any other player, with the Reds legend notching an impressive 10 goals in 19 fixtures.

Didier Drogba leads the way for Chelsea with nine goals in 28 appearances against Liverpool – a tally matched by Reds striker Roger Hunt who achieved the feat in just 16 games vs Chelsea.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Michael Regan / Pool via AP*

• Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all-time

• The Argentine’s Barcelona contract expires this summer

• Messi left Barcelona in 2021 to join PSG ahead of the 2021/22 season

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It doesn’t take a betting on football expert to know about Lionel Messi’s transfer status. The Argentine magician is unquestionably one of the three greatest footballers of all-time, and many would give him the label of ‘GOAT’.

La Liga betting has swung on Messi throughout the last decade-plus.

Since breaking into the Barcelona team as a teenager, Messi has collected hardware for both individual and team honours, and provided some of the greatest individual performances in the history of the sport.

Great players change a football prediction. Messi has combined an outrageously long peak with durability.

The result has been vast individual wealth and an array of trophies for his club. Where others have changed clubs frequently, Messi has remained loyal to Barcelona.

That appeared to be changing at the start of the 2020/21 season, however. Messi reportedly wanted out. Barcelona have been in disarray.

It was an unprecedented chance for Europe’s biggest clubs to try and sign the Argentine, who had never been even close to available in the past.

Messi’s future is set to be a hot topic again this summer. Barcelona’s financial situation is challenging (to put it kindly).

Messi Joins PSG

On Wednesday 11th August 2021, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that Lionel Messi had officially joined the club following his summer departure from Barcelona.

Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all-time, Messi will go down in history as a Camp Nou legend and Spanish football fans will miss him dearly.

Messi Weekly Wage

Lionel Messi has the biggest weekly wage in football history. A quick Google search suggests it’s in the region of 70 million Euros per week, though this figure isn’t universally agreed.

As with most successful sportspeople, Messi gains millions in extra revenue through endorsements and bonuses.

Football (unlike some other sports) isn’t entirely open about club finances, and this means the specific details of Messi’s weekly wage are not publicly known.

If Messi is to leave Barcelona, a club will need to agree to a never-seen-before contract. It will require a long-term deal, and likely a lot of power in the hands of Messi and his agent.

Already deep into his thirties, being able to choose when he leaves – and where to - is probably a key factor in any new Messi contract.

Rumours of an exit last summer were largely down to club politics and Barcelona’s waning position on the pitch. Many transfers have gone wrong.

Barcelona’s financial situation has seen them fall from European football’s inner circle of Champions League challengers, and with only a handful of seasons left at the top of the game, Messi clearly wants to play for a club with realistic Champions League ambitions.

Messi Barcelona Stats

Being among the La Liga top scorers has been a guarantee for Lionel Messi at Barcelona. His stats in the iconic blue and garnet of the Catalan giants are unmatched.

While the rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo was talked up for several years, Messi’s statistical production has always been far clear of anyone else given his talents as both a scorer and creator.

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time leader in appearances with 778, putting him just ahead of his former teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique follow in the appearance rankings.

It is a wild understatement to simply name Messi as Barcelona’s top scorer. His total of 709 goals is more than 300 ahead of anyone else.

He also holds the world record for the most goals scored for one club in all competitions (672), and the most goals scored in the Catalan derby and El Clasico.

His extraordinary 2012, in which he scored 91 competitive goals, is the best goal scoring season in the history of the sport.

The 120 goals in the Champions League is 95 more than anyone else for the club. He’s the all-time leader in group stage goals, too.

Messi, of course, has won the Ballon d’Or on six occasions. This, once again, is a record, as he’s just ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (five).

He has been a runner-up in the voting five times, too, all of which came behind Ronaldo. Other than the pair of 21st century icons, no one else has won the award more than thrice.

Messi Next Club Odds

While it won’t carry a record-breaking fee, any Lionel Messi move this summer will immediately become one of the biggest La Liga transfers.

The majority of Messi next club odds point in one direction: Paris Saint-Germain.

The French club were the red hot favourites to sign Messi and did just that, acquiring the Argentinian on a lucrative contract that makes him one of the best paid players in football.

Beyond that, though, things open up significantly with clubs like Inter, Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus all sitting at much longer prices in Lionel Messi next club betting.

Much has changed at Barcelona since last summer. While issues remain, Messi’s future is less of an uncertainty. As of July 7th, rumours about a potential Messi transfer are hard to find. Barcelona appear to be prioritising his new contract.

His future will be on his terms. He’s earned the right to choose where he plays, but for now at least, it seems like he’s happy enough to remain at Barcelona, particularly with the club investing in elite talents around him like Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero.

Looking for value in Messi next club odds is challenging. Things can change quickly in football, but for Messi to leave Barcelona this summer, it will have to be a dramatic turnaround from where things are right now.

Then there’s the small matter of his salary elsewhere. Financial Fairplay is barely a factor any more, but there’s still only a tiny group of clubs who would even consider stumping up the required cash to land Messi.

Speculation about MLS is rife, though that feels like it’s at least a couple of seasons away. Messi remains one of the very best players in world football.

After scoring 30 and assisting nine in La Liga in 2020/21, Barcelona will miss Messi dearly but La Blaugrana can still build a strong squad for the upcoming campaign.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Manu Fernandez / AP Photo*