Messi: La Liga goal record's very significant, it's 1 of best records I've made

The Argentine feels honoured to have inked his name in the competition's history books for his efforts in front of goal.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has declared being La Liga's highest ever goal scorer is a record he considers 'special' and one of his best. 

The 32-year-old has struck a stunning 432 times across just 466 appearances in Spain's first division to claim a record that will take some beating. 

Messi's next closest rival for the milestone is long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 311 goals over his nine years with Real Madrid. 

Along with the overall record, the Barca attacker has also finished as the competition's top scorer for an individual season six times - level with Athletic Club legend Telmo Zarra. 

While Messi's list of records is long, he stressed being La Liga's highest ever goal scorer is one he holds particularly dear. 

"I think the La Liga goal record is very important and very significant," Messi told La Liga on DAZN. 

"There have been spectacular players in this championship, the best in the world, and being the historic top scorer of this championship, given the level of the Spanish league, is special.

"I think it is one of the best records I have made. I have been playing in La Liga for many years.

"I don't know if other forwards have endured as long as me, but this has helped me a lot to score many and for me it is an honour to have entered the history of La Liga."