MX23RW : Monday, March 23 22:21:03| >> :60:584:584:

On This Day: Lionel Messi becomes Barcelona's record goalscorer

On This Day: Lionel Messi becomes Barcelona's record goalscorer
© Reuters
The Argentina star reached the milestone, aged just 24, with a hat-trick in a 5-3 win over Granada at the Nou Camp on March 20, 2012.

Lionel Messi broke Barcelona's 60-year-old goalscoring record eight years ago today.

The Argentina star reached the milestone, aged just 24, with a hat-trick in a 5-3 win over Granada at the Nou Camp.

Here, the PA news agency recalls Messi's big moment.

Record breaker

Soccer – UEFA Champions League – Final – Barcelona v Manchester United – Wembley Stadium
A familiar sight as Lionel Messi celebrates a goal (Nick Potts/PA)

Messi, who had already set up Xavi's opener, equalled the record of 232 goals scored by Cesar Rodriguez in the 17th minute.

He met a deflected cross with a crisp first-time shot with his left foot which fizzed in off the far post.

He broke the record in the 68th minute, killing Dani Alves' ball over the top with his first touch before lobbing advancing Granada keeper Julio Cesar with his second.

"Enhorabona (congratulations) Leo", flashed up on the Nou Camp's big screen as Barcelona's players and fans celebrated wildly.

Messi's third – and goal number 234 – came from another Alves pass four minutes from time, the forward rounding Cesar and finishing into an empty net.

The numbers

Messi's third goal had taken his tally to 54 in all competitions that season.

He was then top-scorer in LaLiga with 34 goals from 27 games, moving two ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi finished the season with 50 league goals, 72 in all competitions, and went on to score a record-breaking 91 goals for Barca and Argentina combined in the calendar year.

And then...

Soccer – UEFA Champions League – Final – Barcelona v Manchester United – Wembley Stadium
Another day, another trophy (Nick Potts/PA)

Messi's goalscoring exploits continue to amaze. Now 32, he has now scored 438 LaLiga goals in 474 appearances. His last goal came from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad, taking his league tally for this season to 19, with 24 in all competitions.

The stats say he has scored 697 goals and provided 306 assists for club and country. Messi has also hit 54 career hat-tricks.

His honours haul includes six Ballon d'Or awards, 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League wins, three Super Cups and six Copa del Rey's. And he is showing no signs of easing up yet.

ID:393564:
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
How the 'Big Freeze' decimated the football calendar during the 1962-63 season
>
Latest Sports Video
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
Read more about Lionel Messi Football

rhs 2.0
Live scores banner
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona27184563313258
2Real Madrid27168349193056
3Sevilla27138639291047
4Real Sociedad27144945331246
5Getafe27137737251246
6Atletico MadridAtletico271112431211045
7Valencia2711973839-142
8Villarreal27115114438638
9Granada27115113332138
10Athletic Bilbao2791082923637
11Osasuna2781093438-434
12Real Betis2789103843-533
13Levante27103143240-833
14AlavesAlaves2788112937-832
15Real Valladolid27611102333-1029
16EibarEibar2776142741-1427
17Celta Vigo27511112234-1226
18Mallorca2774162844-1625
19Leganes2758142139-1823
20Espanyol2748152346-2320

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!