BARCELONA: The great Lionel Messi is continuing to make goalscoring history.

Last night the Argentinian became the first player ever to score 300 goals in the Spanish league when he struck Nos 300 and 201 in Barcelona’s 3-1 win away to Sporting Gijon, a ‘catch-up game’ for the fixture postponed while the Catalans were winning the Club World Cup in Japan last December.

Messi has ignored an opportunity to reach the landmark on Sunday against Celta Vigo, choosing instead to set up Luis Suarez from the penalty spot. Instead he reached 300 by shooting Barcelona ahead after 20 minutes in Gijon.

The 28-year-old’s second goal of the evening was also Barcelona’s 10,000th goal.

Messi is now 50 goals clear in Spanish league records from old Bilbao hero Telmo Zarra   (251), pursued by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (246).

He is only the fifth player footballer to reach 300 league goals in any of Europe’s top five leagues; the other four being Jimmy Greaves, Gerd Muller, Dixie Dean and Steve Bloomer.

Messi made his Barcelona debut in October 2004 under Frank Rijkaard and, in his 335 games, has also amassed 137 assists.

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