Having started his career very early in life, Lionel Messi’s upward trajectory was somehow predictable. As a matter of fact, Ronaldinho once proclaimed to Kobe Bryant how great the Argentine was going to be even when he was just a teenager at the time. The prediction came to pass, and Messi is now the greatest soccer player to have ever graced the sport.
Most of Lionel Messi’s success was attained during his time at Barcelona, where he conquered La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. The Argentine currently holds the record for the most Pichichi Trophies amid Robert Lewandowski being named the winner for the 22/23 La Liga season.
How many Pichichi Trophies does Lionel Messi have?
The Pichichi Trophy is one of the most iconic awards in La Liga, given to the top scorer in the league in a season. The was first handed out in 1929 and has been handled by Marca since 1952 up until this current year. Many may remember the award for something Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi always competed for during their time playing in La Liga.
Messi emerged the victor, claiming the Pichichi Trophy a record eight times, more than anyone in the history of the competition. The Argentine claimed his first in 2010 after scoring 34 league goals in 35 games to become the top scorer in La Liga that season.
His second came in 2012, Messi’s best goalscoring season in his illustrious career. The World Cup winner scored a career-high 50 goals in La Liga that season, raking in more than 90 goals for club and country in all competitions.
Lionel Messi followed this up with another strong performance the following season with 46 goals in 32 La Liga games, picking up his third in the process. After three years of not winning the award, Messi returned to the top, clinching the award five times in a row in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Lionel Messi is rumored to return to Barcelona for a grand farewell ceremony, which he never got after leaving the club in 2021.
Lewandowski clinches Pichichi Trophy for being top scorer in La Liga 2022-23
While a former Barcelona player dominated the awards during his time with the club, another current player has continued the tradition of keeping the Pichichi Trophy in the club by claiming the top scorer award for the 2022-23 La Liga season.
Robert Lewandowski joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and scored an impressive 23 league goals in his debut season at the club. These goals helped Xavi and Barcelona claim the La Liga title. These league goals were enough to make him the league’s top scorer that season, thus earning him the Pichichi Trophy.
Sadly, Lewandowski’s form has dipped this season, with injury problems contributing to his struggles. However, the former Bayern Munich man continues to score important goals to help his team claim vital wins.
Can Jude Bellingham win the Pichichi Trophy next year with Real Madrid?
