The year has begun better than ever for Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The Argentine, owner of all types of goal scoring records, has already scored eight goals in 2015 in just 495 minutes of action.

Miki Soria

That works out an average of a goal every 61.85 minutes -- his best ratio in the month of January since becoming a professional footballer.

Messi started the year on the bench. He only played 45 minutes against Real Sociedad, but since that defeat (a defeat which provoked a revolution at the club on many levels), he hasn't missed a minute.

And he has been in wonderful goal scoring form.

He scored against Elche in the Copa del Rey (a penalty) and against Atletico Madrid in la Liga in one of Barça's best performances of the season.

Then, at the Riazor against Deportivo de La Coruña, he weighed in with a hat-trick.

It doesn't end there either. Leo was on the score sheet in the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Atletico, scoring the rebound after initially missing a penalty.

Finally, he scored two goals against Elche in the most recent league game. Two goals which leave him with his best ever ratio in January; a ratio which can be increased at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

MESSI'S PREVIOUS JANUARYS

2005/06: 71.5

2006/07: n/a

2007/08: n/a

2008/09: 68.14

2009/10: 90.0

2010/11: 71.5

2011/12: 86.28

2012/13: 69.11

2013/14: 108.5

2014/15: 61.85