Lionel Messi has made further history in Barcelona’s Sunday night match against Real Sociedad, with this his 768th official match for the Catalan club’s first team.
That sees him move ahead of Xavi Hernandez, after the No.10 equalled the midfielder’s appearances record on Monday against Huesca.
Several videos were published on social media after Messi equalled the record, scoring twice and assisting once against Huesca.
Against Real Sociedad, which is his 511th league game, he is looking for a three-point haul to help Barcelona’s quest for a LaLiga Santander title. They’ll also play in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club in April.
…as Barcelona cut Atletico’s lead to four points
Barcelona continued their good run of domestic form with a 6-1 thumping of Real Sociedad as Lionel Messi bagged a brace and Antoine Griezmann scored on his return to his former club.
The result keeps the Camp Nou side in second place in La Liga and within four points of Atletico Madrid at the top of the table after their narrow 1-0 home win over Alaves earlier in the day.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen made an important save from Alexander Isak with Sergino Dest also striking the crossbar before Griezmann broke the deadlock, finishing on the rebound after Alex Remiro had denied Ousmane Dembele.
Dest doubled Barcelona’s advantage before half time, controlling a Messi pass and finishing into the far corner of the Real Sociedad as the visitors to the Anoeta tightened their grip on the match.
Barca added a third in the second half as Dest converted a Jordi Alba cut back from the byline before Messi added his name to the scoresheet with an exceptional touch and finish from a Sergio Busquets pass over the top.
Dembele had a goal ruled out due to a dubious offside call before he capped the scoring for Barcelona at five, driving through the middle of the Real Sociedad defence to find the far corner of the net.
Ander Barrenetxea scored a stunning solo effort late on to momentarily reduce the deficit to four goals only for Messi to restore the five-goal cushion following a wonderful passing move involving Alba and Riqui Puig.