Lionel Messi overtook Pele’s record of goals for a single club on Tuesday as Barcelona strolled to a 3-0 La Liga win at Real Valladolid, while Atletico Madrid kept hold of their place at the top of the table.
The Argentina forward struck his 644th goal for Barca, one more than Brazil legend Pele scored for Santos, in the 65th minute of a routine win for Ronald Koeman’s side, who are fifth in La Liga after the win and eight points behind leaders Atletico.
“When I started playing football I never thought I would break any records. And even less the one I achieved today,” Messi posted on Instagram shortly after the game.
“I can only thank all those who helped me over the years, my teammates, my family, my friends and all those who support me every day.”
Messi had equalled Pele on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Valencia. The two men scored at almost an equal rate for their clubs.
It was the 33-year-old Argentine’s 749th competitive match for Barca, meaning he has scored a goal every 1.16 games.
The Brazilian scored 643 goals in 757 matches with Santos, where he played between 1956 and 1974, or one every 1.17 matches.
Barca started on the front foot at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium, with Messi flashing a curling wide in the seventh minute and forcing a superb save from Jordi Masip in the 20th minute.
Barca took the lead seconds later when Messi clipped over a beautiful cross which France defender Clement Lenglet headed home.
Martin Braithwaite gave the away side a deserved second 14 minutes later, Messi slipping through Sergio Dest who rolled over a perfect low cross for the Danish international to tap home.
Messi, who has looked out of sorts this season after trying to leave the club in the summer, got the landmark goal his excellent performance deserved with a simple finish after bursting through to collect Pedri’s delicate backheeled assist.
The easy win puts Barca two points behind Sociedad and fourth-placed Villarreal, who draw 1-1 at home with Athletic Bilbao.
Atleti stay top
Earlier second-half goals from Mario Hermoso and Marcos Llorente earned Atletico a huge win away at a Sociedad team that started the fixture three points off the lead but are now six back in third after their third straight league defeat.