From Lionel Messi to Arsene Wenger and Gareth Barry… here are 11 incredible records that can be broken in the 2017-18 season
THE 2017-18 is finally upon us, as the annual curtain-raising fixtures - the Community Shield and Super Cup - are done and dusted.
We are now just a matter of days away from the start of the Premier League season, with the European giants also getting underway very shortly.
But already this is shaping up to be more than your average season, with a host of records set to be broken in 2017-18.
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From the Premier League to La Liga and the rest of Europe's Big Five leagues, there are plenty of accolades up for grabs.
With certain scoring gongs set to be won and even appearance-based records, there's plenty to keep your eye on all season.
From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Arsene Wenger and Gareth Barry, a host of statistical records are set to tumble.
Check out the comprehensive list of what we've got to look forward to, below.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
MOST PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES MANAGED
ARSENE WENGER is set to make Prem history in 2017-18.
Should he last the full season, the Frenchman will surpass Sir Alex Ferguson's tally of 810 matches managed.
Wenger is currently on 790 - meaning his total at the end of the season should reach 828.
MOST PREMIER LEAGUE APPEARANCES
RYAN GIGGS currently holds the record for most Prem appearances.
The Welsh winger turned out 632 times for Manchester United in his career spanning nearly 20 years.
But now Gareth Barry has the chance to topple him, as he already site on 628, needing just five games for Everton to take the lead.
MOST GOALS IN A PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON
THIS is more a prediction than fact, but we could be set to see someone finally break the goals in a season record.
Currently Andy Cole and Alan Shearer hold the record with 34 goals - both in the days of 42-game seasons - 31 goals the record for most goals in a 38-game campaign.
Harry Kane notched 29 goals in just 30 games last season after missing eight with injury and he'll be hoping to break the record in 2017-18... if he can stay fit.
MOST ASSISTS IN A PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON
THIERRY HENRY incredibly is the man to notch the most assists in a Prem campaign.
The former Arsenal star tallied 20 in the 2002-03 season.
Stars including Mesut Ozil, Kevin De Bruyne and Cesc Fabregas have all come agonisingly close in recent years and will be hoping to get to No1 in 2017-18.
MOST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLES - COACH
CARLO ANCELOTTI endured a tricky debut season at Bayern Munich, "only" winning the Bundesliga title.
But should the German giants win the Champions League, the Italian boss will make history.
Ancelotti has the chance to surpass Bob Paisley for the most European Cup trophies - as they're currently level on three.
MOST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOALS - GROUP STAGE
OF COURSE Cristiano Ronaldo is on the cusp of making history.
The Portuguese star could become the player with the most Champions League group stage goals.
Currently Raul sits top with 53 goals, but should CR7 score four of more in Real Madrid's six group fixtures, he will clinch the No1 spot.
MOST SERIE A APPEARANCES
ITALIAN legend Gianluigi Buffon has already broken hearts by saying 2017-18 will be his last season.
However, should he start the bulk of Juventus' league games he will become the leading Serie A appearance-maker.
Paolo Maldini is currently No1 with 647, but should Buffon make at least 29 appearances of Juve's 38, he will eclipse the defensive legend.
MOST LA LIGA GOALS
WITH stars such as Lionel Messi and Ronaldo in La Liga, it's hardly a surprise the number of goals in Spain is flying up.
However, the record for most goals in a season by a team hasn't been broken since 2011-12 when Jose Mourinho led Real Madrid to 121 goals.
However, both El Clasico competitors are regular breakers of the 100-barrier - with Barce notching 116 goals last term - and will aiming to finally eclipse that mega tally in 2017-18.
MOST LA LIGA GOALS IN A SEASON
SPEAKING of Barca and Mr Messi, the Argentine will be hoping to break his own record for most goals in a La Liga season in 2017-18.
The record currently sits at 50, achieved by the man himself in 2011-12.
Messi notched "just" 37 goals last season, but with Neymar now out of the equation should see that tally improve this time around.
MOST CARDS IN LA LIGA HISTORY
NEVER understate the importance of Sergio Ramos to Real Madrid.
The centre-back has a knack for important goals... but he could break a record for most cards in La Liga history this season.
After 145 yellows and 17 reds he is just SEVEN cards behind the record for most cards set by Alberto Lopo Garcia.
MOST MAJOR TROPHIES
ONE star could be set to earn the honour of winning the most major trophies in European history.
It's not Messi or Ronaldo either, but in fact PSG new-boy Dani Alves.
After winning 36 trophies already, he needs just two this season at the French giants to overtake former PSG, Barcelona and Inter Milan star Maxwell, who has 37.
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