The Zambian FA is "launching a bid" to have Zambia's GODFREY CHITALU's 107-goal season "officially recorded" after Barcelona striker LIONEL MESSI was recognized last week for scoring the most goals in a calendar year, according to Simon Rice of the London INDEPENDENT. Messi has been "lauded across the world" as he overtook GERD MÜLLER's 40-year-old record for the most goals scored in a calendar year. Messi recently scored his 86th goal this year, one more than the 85 scored by Müller in '72. However, according to the Zambian FA, the record was never Muller's to be broken. The Zambian FA said that Chitalu, who played for the Kabwe Warriors, scored 107 goals, also in '72. The five-time Zambian player of the year's feat was never officially recognized by FIFA. If the Zambian FA's bid to have Chitalu's mark is successful, it would mean Messi needs another 22 goals before the end of the year. With just three games to do it in, "even for arguably the most gifted player of all time, it might prove a struggle" (INDEPENDENT, 12/12).
