10 key football records broken in 2014

When footballers, individually and collectively as a team, perform at a level that is incredible, both in terms of numbers, and in terms of style, we get to see old records broken and new ones set. These records, now, are incredibly hard to come by and the careers of most footballers pass by just dreaming of them, which gives us an indication of just how special these achievements are.2014 was a glorious year for football and we were lucky to witness some historic moments in the game. Records were made, broken and then some. It was truly spectacular. Here's a look at some of those moments which blazed forth in 2014 to make it a special year for the beautiful game. 

#1 Lionel Messi becomes the all-time top scorer in Champions League

It was a tight race. Nobody could truly call it. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were like two swimmers in a tight race to the finish. The target was Raul's goal of 71 records, a record no mortal had previously come close to. It was a tight affair which ultimately ended in Messi's favour. 

On November 25, 2014, Lionel Messi broke Raul's record, nay shattered it, with a spectacular hat-trick against group F rivals APOEL Nicosia. He surpassed the legendary Raul with his first goal of the game, but as is often the case with Messi, he didn't deem it to be enough for the occasion as he smashed in two more after half-time. 

Ronaldo, who had been deemed favorite to break the record, was left trailing in the wake of such a destructive performance and has been behind Messi, on the charts, ever since.