Barcelona forward Lionel Messi on Sunday surpassed former player Xavi Hernandez’s record of most appearances for the club during the La Liga match against Real Sociedad. As Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 6-1, Messi set a new club record of 768 appearances.
The 39-year-old had equalled Xavi’s record of 767 appearance in Barca colours on March 16.
After Sunday’s match, Barcelona overtook Real Madrid in the points table to settle in second place on 62 points, just four behind Atletico Madrid with 10 matches left.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring in the 36th minute and right back Sergino Dest stretched Barca’s lead shortly before halftime after latching on to a sweeping pass from Messi. Dest struck again early in the second half before Messi controlled a sumptuous pass from Sergio Busquets and scored.
Ousmane Dembele struck his side’s fifth goal of the night in the 71st minute after a brilliant solo run while Sociedad’s Ander Barrenetxea gave his side a rare moment of joy in the 77th.
Messi found the net in the 89th minute to score his 23rd league goal of the season, increasing his lead at the top of the scoring charts.
Xavi set his record of 767 matches in 2015, in the last of his 17 seasons with Barcelona. He won 27 trophies with FC Barcelona, with which his association began in August 1998.
Messi’s 767 matches are divided into a total of six different competitions.
La Liga is the competition with the most matches, with Messi playing a total of 510 in the Spanish top flight. He has played 149 Champions League games, while 79 have come in in the Copa del Rey, 20 in the Spanish Super Cup, five in the Club World Cup, and four in the European Super Cup.
The Argentine is yet to sign a new deal as his contract with Barcelona will end this year.
