Introduction
As we enter the year 2024, football fans around the world are buzzing with excitement for what could be a historic year for the sport. One of the records that could be broken is the most goals scored by a single player in a calendar year. In this article, we will explore the history of this record and take a look at the players who could potentially break it in 2024.
The Current Record
The current record for the most goals scored in a calendar year is held by Lionel Messi. In 2012, Messi scored an incredible 91 goals in 69 games for club and country. This record has stood for almost a decade and many believe that it may never be broken. However, there are a few players who could potentially give it a shot in 2024.
The Contenders
1. Kylian Mbappe
At just 24 years of age, Kylian Mbappe has already established himself as one of the best players in the world. In 2023, Mbappe scored 56 goals in 51 games for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team. If he can maintain this level of form in 2024, he could definitely challenge Messi’s record.
2. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has been a sensation since bursting onto the scene with RB Salzburg in 2019. In 2023, Haaland scored an impressive 54 goals in 52 games for Borussia Dortmund and the Norwegian national team. If he can continue to improve and stay injury-free, he could definitely give Messi’s record a run for its money.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo may be 39 years old, but he is still one of the best players in the world. In 2023, Ronaldo scored 52 goals in 54 games for Juventus and the Portuguese national team. If he can maintain this level of form in 2024, he could definitely challenge Messi’s record.
Question and Answer
Q: Is it possible for anyone to break Messi’s record?
A: While it may seem unlikely, anything is possible in football. Mbappe, Haaland, and Ronaldo are all capable of scoring a high number of goals in a calendar year. It will take a lot of hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck, but it is definitely possible for someone to break Messi’s record.
Q: Is there anyone else who could potentially break the record?
A: There are a few other players who could potentially challenge for the record. Players like Robert Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah, and Harry Kane have all scored a high number of goals in recent years and could definitely give Messi’s record a run for its money.
Conclusion
The most goals scored in a calendar year is a record that has stood for almost a decade. While it may seem unlikely that anyone could break it, there are a few players who could potentially give it a shot in 2024. Mbappe, Haaland, and Ronaldo are all capable of scoring a high number of goals and it will be interesting to see if any of them can break Messi’s record.