Former Germany striker Gerd Muller has hailed Lionel Messi as an “incredible player” and “giant” of the game after he broke his record for the most goals in a calendar year.
Messi netted a first-half double in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Real Betis in Spain’s La Liga on Sunday to move to 86 goals for 2012, eclipsing Muller’s previous record of 85.
The former Bayern Munich man labelled Messi “an incredible player, a giant who is at the same time very nice and a polished professional”.
He added: “My record of 85 goals in 60 matches, which stood since 1972, was beaten by the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, and I’m very happy for him.
“I hope he’ll score one or two goals again in the matches that remain in 2012 and that his record will stand for the next 40 years.”