Magical Messi beats Muller's goal record

Lionel Messi may have last night secured another jaw-dropping record, that of Gerd Muller’s 85 goals in a calendar year, but it is the style in which he has accomplished the feat that illustrates how the 25-year-old has soared to yet another level.

A couple of years ago, the sight of Messi cutting in from the right, those small, piston-like legs a mere blur, leaving bemused defenders in his wake en route to another wonder goal was almost becoming routine.