Messi, a new record: 35 league goals, a new Barça record

The Argentine international just keeps on breaking all the record. This time he has beaten the Club record of 34 league goals in a season held by Brazilian striker Ronaldo since the 1996/97 season. His current tally stands at 35. He also equalled Philip Cocu’s record of 205 appearances.

Once again, Messi proved to be decisive. He opened the scoring against Mallorca on Saturday night and set Barça on the road to victory. The goal, his 35th in the league this season, established a new Club scoring record for league goals in a season. Since the 2009/10 season he had shared the previous record of 34 along with former Brazilian striker Ronaldo.

The league’s highest scorer is enjoying a particularly productive run. He has scored for the last eight consecutive matches, including five in the league, accumulating a total of 18 goals in that period. So far this season he has scored an impressive 55 goals.

Messi made his 205th league appearance against Mallorca and thereby equalled Phillip Cocu’s record as the foreigner who has made the most appearances for Barça. He looks set to surpass the record previously held by the former Dutch international and current PSV manager in the next game against Athletic Club. Fans may remember that last December Messi equalled and then passed Cocu’s record as the foreign player who has made the most competitive appearances for Barça.

Just last Tuesday, he smashed the long-standing Club scoring record previously held by Cesar Rodriguez with a valuable hat trick against Granada. (via FCBarcelona.com)