Madrid: Argentine star Lionel Messi made history as he scored four goals in his side’s 4-0 win over local rivals Espanyol in the Spanish Primer Liga to take his total tally of league goals for the season to 50.
No player in the history of the Spanish league has ever reached the 50-goal mark, with the previous record held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who last season netted 43 goals, Xinhua reported.
Messi opened his account on Saturday with a first half free-kick which curled away from Espanyol goalkeeper Christian Alvarez.
He then added another from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, before outsprinting the Espanyol defence to net a third 10 minutes later with a powerful left foot shot.
Messi then reached the incredible 50 goal mark 11 minutes from time, once again from the penalty spot, following a foul on Sergio Busquets.
The striker almost scored his fifth goal of the night in the closing minutes of the game, but his shot drifted just wide of the post.
It was the perfect way to celebrate Pep Guardiola’s final game as Barca coach in the Camp Nou Stadium, after the man who had helped develop Messi into the best player in the world, announced eight days ago that he was leaving his position after four years at the club. (IANS)