Messi surpasses Raul’s Record

Messi became the Champions League’s all-time top scorer with a hat-trick against Apoel Nicosia.

Lionel Messi has already equalled Raul’s all-time Champions League scoring record, netting his 71st goal in a 2-0 victory against Ajax.The Argentine attacker surpasses Raul, as the all-time top scorer in the Champions League on Tuesday with his hat-trick in the 4-0 win over APOEL.

The Argentina international now has 74 Champions League goals in 91 appearances in the competition. The former record holder Raul had made his 71 strikes in 142 games. It is Messi’s second major record in four days, having scored a landmark 253 La Liga Goals Beating Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra.

Messi celebrated his achievement and said, “I am happy for having achieved such a nice record in a competition of this importance. But the really relevant thing is that we took the three points.”

Lionel Messi

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has hailed Lionel Messi as a “beast” for his desire to always try to achieve new heights.
“Messi is always in the right place. It is incredible to have the best player ever in your team,” Xavi told AS.

Xavi further added, “Messi reminds me a bit of Raul with his ambition. Raul was an example to follow and Messi has the same attitude. He is never satisfied and always wants more.They are competitive beasts. The stats are proof of this.”

Xavi then discussed Messi’s future after the Argentine’s comments that he might leave Camp Nou.
“I have always seen Messi happy. He never talks much and there’s always a discussion when he does talk. He said nothing out of the ordinary, though. Leo is happy and satisfied at Barcelona. He’s feeling right at home and enjoying himself.”