After opening the scoring with a stunning free-kick away to Catalan rivals Espanyol, the Argentine has set yet another La Liga record
Lionel Messi wrote a fresh chapter in the La Liga history books as the Barcelona captain set another record in his side's Catalan derby clash away to Espanyol.
Messi opened the scoring with a brilliant free-kick at RCDE Stadium on Saturday, with Ernesto Valverde's men looking to open up a three-point lead atop the table.
His goal means Messi has reached 10 for the season already in the league this term, becoming the first player to hit the landmark in 13 consecutive La Liga seasons.
Messi's free-kick was also the eighth set-piece he has scored this year in the Spanish top flight, three more than any team in Europe's top-five leagues have collectively managed in 2018.
The Argentina star finished fifth in this week's Ballon d'Or voting behind Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Cristiano Ronaldo and winner Luka Modric.
The 31-year-old also got an assist in Saturday's clash, setting up Ousmane Dembele with a cross as the French winger doubled his side's lead.
Messi almost created another goal when a combination with Luis Suarez saw him send the ball flying into the Uruguayan's path in the box, but his effort hit the post.
It has taken Messi just 17 games in all competitions to get 16 goals and 10 assists as Barca sit top of the domestic table and are through to the last-16 of the Champions League.
Dimetri22
673
Somewhere Pele after watching free kicks.
EmmanuelBundi
390
Dear PELE` Messi don't need both legs to take the crown from your head,only his left leg is enough for your standard. pls
PrinceSl
331
Wow.... Just wow, the guy is proving haters wrong everyday. He will dedicate this match to Pele, sorry Espanyol. Blame Pele for making the Lion king angry.
Wusbcimnoz
289
No more words!! 17 games, 16 goals, 10 assist alone with eight Set Piece goals ( 3 more than any team in the Europe 5 Top-flight leagues this year).. Messi is the BEST.. This is a respond to the old man Pele😁.. Leo the G.O.A.T👌💪🙌👏
laiza_santana
254
Can we talk about Dembele? He looks like he doesnt give a damn he walks like he doesnt give a damn but if you give him an inch he‘ll make you wish you were dead. What a talent we have!! Messi dribbling past 2-3 Espanjol players as he falls down, gets up, provides an incredible pass to Dembélé who finishes it perfectly. These two are turning into a scaring duo.
dohdmnosz
233
Please, a question..! 'Is that the same ball that FIFA uses on the pitch...?' or 'FIFA uses something round like football in playing the world cup tournament...?' If it is the same ball called football, then Messi needs not to win a world cup to receive the honor as the greatest footballer of all time. let him win a world cup trophy now the people will come out and demand for the FIFA consideration's cup. Always, the human person finds the weakness of the one at top to bring him done and this seems to be a natural phenomenon in some people. When one becomes jealous of his brother; his logical reasoning becomes limited. Hardly, will he appreciate the one he is envy and jealous of. Please, forgive our Grand Paa Pele..!
Jihaiortu
228
what is the use of scoring with both foot and head but you can't break any record,imagine if messi uses both foot and head,we may not have been able to count his goals.
Vizdelmnrs
213
As crboss leave all of a sudden he breaking records remember RONALDO gone and breaking records in Italy✌️.
RealMd13
204
😂😂😂 I hope people know that Leo was responding to Pele his comments he is a silent killer
Sage07
181
Have you realized that all the great players are arguing about being better than Messi? Pele, Ronaldo, Maradona etc... But the best player himself has kept quiet... Go Leo the GOAT
Hotelopsy
150
Sometimes I sit and go through this comments and understand that just because someone is your favourite player doesn't mean he is the best, my fav player was lampard but I won't start comparing him to even d likes of xavi n Iniesta, except ma rating who's short is most powerful. The truth is Messi has evolved from the little winger who dribbles then later he becomes a goal scorer, then an assist master then a free kick genius and then the best passer both long and short range... Imagine scoring and assisting and all that stuff, remember Michael Jordan has more NBA titles than LeBron while LeBron have just 3 losing 8 finals and then you kids would say gibberish bout him... Someone please name a player as complete as Messi is, cos as long as am concern even CR7 evolved from d wonder kid who dribbles and became just a goal scorer leaving every other talent he had behind... And you guys acting like he never performed in world cups and international levels then how come he found him self playing 3 International finals in a row, just because he lost when favour is against you there's no magic to it, on a better day those three trophies might have being his, but that's life, showing our flaws
ruzadepsuy
141
Pele I am 60 years old and I have seen both era's in football from both ends and I have to say it's a totally different game today, a more advanced game today we're the pace in today's game would litterally leave out players in your era totally and for a man who I looked up at as the greatest for you to say what you said about Messi I am dumbfounded by your views and more so you knowing how advance in today's game how it is, I really think you should apologize to the real master of the Game.
Bodelain
105
I absolutely think messi is a legend. I was hoping barça would not win that match against espanyol but messi showed me that when he is on the pitch, barça always win. my respect to the legend. he didn't deserve to be only 5th in balloon for voting. he should have been in top three.[cup][cup][cup][cup][cup]