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To mark Messi’s new record, beer company sends bottles to goalies he’s scored against

Messi’s recent feat had broken Pele’s 50-year record of most goals scored for a single club.

• December 25, 2020
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi (Credit: Pundit Arena)

American-style lager Budweiser has despatched no fewer than 644 customised bottles of beer to 160 goalkeepers who have conceded against Barcelona captain Lionel Messi.

The marketing stunt by the beer company comes days after the Argentine reached another remarkable landmark, netting his 644th career goal for Barcelona in a 3-0 win over Valladolid on Tuesday night.

Messi’s recent feat had broken Pele’s 50-year record of most goals scored for a single club. 

While the Brazilian legend was credited with 643 goals from 656 games for local side Santos, the Argentine is one better than his counterpart from 749 games for Barca.

To commemorate the achievement, Budweiser said in a statement that it had sent exclusive bottles of its brand to every goalie the 33-year-old playmaker had scored against, with each bottle marked with the number of goals conceded by the shot stopper.

Former Almería and Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves received the most bottles (21), having enjoyed a 10-year career in the Spanish La Liga.

Veteran goalie Iker Casillas, formerly of rival club Real Madrid, followed in second place with 17 customised bottles.

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak was also listed among recipients for conceding 11 times against Messi.

Other prominent goalkeepers included Juventus’ Gianlugi Buffon (two bottles), Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga (two Budweiser bottles) amongst others. 

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