Lionel Messi scores first goal of 2022 while Kylian Mbappe stats show why Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with him

Lionel Messi scores first goal of 2022 while Kylian Mbappe stats show why Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with him

Lionel Messi scored his second league goal of the season as PSG ran riot against Lille in a 5-1 victory at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

The forward struck in the 38th minute to ensure he has now scored in 17 consecutive calendar years, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s first goal coming in 2005.

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Messi netted his second goal of the season in the victory over Lille

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He delightfully chipped in over the Lille goalkeeper

By his usual standards, though, Messi will be disappointed at hitting just his second league goal of the campaign given it is February.

At Barcelona, the 34-year-old was usually into double figures at this stage of the season.

Nevertheless, he took his goal in fine style as he delicately linked past Ivo Grbic.

In fact, by the time he scored to make it 3-1 at half-time he had registered four key passes compared to Lille’s four.

Mbappe also got on the scoresheet in the match with a sublime strike from outside of the box.

It means the Frenchman has 11 goals and nine assists in 21 Ligue 1 matches this term, averaging just under a goal contribution a game.

The stats show that if there is any heir to MessI’s throne as the world’s best player, it’s him.

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What a player Mbappe is

Is the Frenchman the heir to Messi’s throne?

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At 23, Mbappe’s numbers are outrageous.

He has now been directly involved in 300 first-team goals for club and country.

He already has 183 goals in 273 appearances in his career, as well as countless trophies to his name already, including the World Cup won with France in 2018.

It’s no wonder Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been linked with him.

Real remain favourites for his signature and it’s believed they have offered him a lucrative salary to take him to the Bernabeu.

PSG host the Spanish giants in the Champions League on 15 February. Asked about his future after the game, he said: “I’m only focused on winning vs Real Madrid in Champions League – and then we’ll see what happen.”