Lionel Messi receives Golden Boot after finishing top scorer in Europe last season ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo It's not just for the goals he scores, but for how he sees and understands the game, that is what makes him so great. On Saturday, he ran 50 meters to defend a corner in the 89th minute with a 5-0 lead. Not many players would have done that. Messi, nicknamed "The Flea" for his uncanny ability to dribble through defenders, has shattered a number of records over the past year. He scored an unprecedented 73 goals in all competitions for Barcelona last season, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Bayern Munich's Gerd Mueller in 1972-73. In March, Messi passed Cesar Rodriguez's 57-year-old milestone of 232 goals to become Barca's all-time leading scorer. He also scored a European Cup record-equalling 14 goals in the Champions League, also netting a record five goals in one game. Messi has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, and has his sights set on yet another milestone he is sure to reach very soon. He is just two goals away from equalling Pele's feat of 75 goals for club and country in one calendar year, set in 1958. "Obviously, it's an honor to be close to the numbers of a person who is so important to football," Messi said. But, again, they are only statistics. My goal is to win as many titles as I can before the end of my career. I have always been like that. Then I can look back at what I have won and take stock of my career.