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Lionel Messi reached 2 new career milestones in Alaves win

Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona
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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.

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.

PosPlayerAppearances
1.Andoni Zubizarreta622
2.Joaquin Sanchez (*)567
3.Raul Gonzalez550
4.Eusebio Sacristan543
5.Paco Buyo542
6.Manolo Sanchis523
7.Iker Casillas510
8.Sergio Ramos (*)507
9.Xavi505
10.Lionel Messi (*)505
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