Lionel Messi’s 19 goals scored in the opening 13 rounds of Spanish League action is the best return of anyone for almost 70 years.
The last occasion the Pichichi race was being led at this stage of the season by someone with as many goals was during 1943-44 when Barcelona’s Martin and Real Oviedo’s Echevarria both had that tally.
Messi’s double against Levante on Sunday night saw him reach the same total. The Argentine has scored two goals in each of his last three League appearances and has still failed to score on four separate occasions this season in La Liga.
Messi is currently chasing the record for most goals scored in a calendar year, currently held at 85 by Gerd Muller.
