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Lionel Messi breaks a Copa del Rey record

Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona
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Messi reached a new impressive record on route to helping Barcelona win the Copa del Rey in Seville.

Lionel Messi has surpassed Telmo Zarra as the record scorer in the Copa del Rey final.

The Argentine scored a brace in Saturday’s final to help Barcelona cruise to a 4-0 win over Athletic Club. It sealed the club a record 31st Copa del Rey and a first title of the season.

While Messi, who has now won the Copa del Rey seven times, took home bragging rights for another impressive record.

According to Opta, the Blaugrana skipper has overtaken Athletic icon Zarra as the record scorer in the competition’s final with nine goals in 10 finals.

Messi’s two goals in four minutes is something that nobody has achieved in the final since Zarra in 1950 either.

He is also the first player in the competition’s 119-year history to score in seven different finals.

“Today is a very happy day. It’s special to be the captain of this team where I’ve been playing all my life,” Messi told Barca TV.

“It is a very special cup because this year is different, as a transition year with so many young players. The team is growing and we are also fighting for La Liga.”

Messi now hopes to build on the Copa del Rey triumph by helping Barcelona win a 27th La Liga title this season.

Ronald Koeman’s men are currently locked in a three-horse race for the league title alongside Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Only two points separate the trio ahead of the final eight games.

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