Following his brace against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi moved within one goal of Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year, which the German set in 1972. Messi’s 11^th double of the season—and fifth in five games—helped Barca to a 5-1 mauling of the Basque team that also moved the Catalan giant three points further ahead of second-place Atletico Madrid, which lost 2-0 away to Real Madrid.

The Argentine could also become the first player ever -- at just 25 years of age -- to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or four times. He has already scored 28 goals in all competitions this season, 21 of which have come in La Liga.