Messi continues to make history at Barcelona following a sublime display in the victory over Alaves on Saturday.
Lionel Messi has equaled Xavi Hernandez’s record of 505 appearances in La Liga for Barcelona and become the joint-ninth highest appearance-maker in the Spanish league’s history.
The Argentine’s appearance against Deportivo Alaves on Saturday, a game in which he scored a brace for a 5-1 win, was his 505th in La Liga. It moved him level with former teammate Xavi for the most games played in the league for Barcelona.
Lionel Messi equaled Xavi's record for most appearances in La Liga for Barcelona and scored two goals to celebrate. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/RRrewtFRHO
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) February 13, 2021
He’ll have the chance to take sole bragging rights for the record in the club’s next La Liga game against Cadiz on February 21.
As for Xavi’s club record of 767 appearances across all competitions, Messi is just eight games shy of the landmark on 759 appearances. Should he not miss any games, the overall record could be his by March.
But, as pointed out by Marca, Messi has also recently broken into the top 10 list for the most appearances in La Liga history.
The 33-year-old overtook former Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid left-back Miquel Soler to enter this prestigious list.
Footballers with the most appearances in La Liga history
(*) – Still Active.
| Pos | Player | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Andoni Zubizarreta | 622 |
| 2. | Joaquin Sanchez (*) | 567 |
| 3. | Raul Gonzalez | 550 |
| 4. | Eusebio Sacristan | 543 |
| 5. | Paco Buyo | 542 |
| 6. | Manolo Sanchis | 523 |
| 7. | Iker Casillas | 510 |
| 8. | Sergio Ramos (*) | 507 |
| 9. | Xavi | 505 |
| 10. | Lionel Messi (*) | 505 |
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