Messi Breaks Barcelona Goal Scoring Record

Barcelona's Argentinean forward Leo Messi has now become the club's all-time leading goal scorer and he achieved the feat in style... with a hat-trick against Granada, in a La Liga game, on Tuesday evening.

The record was previously held by another Catalan legend, Cesar Rodriquez, who scored 232 goal for the club.

Messi's hat-trick was his eighth of the season; his first goal, in the 17<sup>th minute, from Isaac Cuenca's cross, drew him level with Rodriguez... his second, a trademark chip over the Granada keeper broke the record and his third, stretched it to 234.

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was all praises for his star player's latest accomplishment.

"You have few players who dominate like this, but he does it. You can compare him perfectly to [basketball legend Michael] Jordan," ESPN quoted manager Pep Guardiola as saying.

"The day that Leo Messi overcame Cesar, we've had a game from that era. Leo has entered history. Those who knew Cesar have told me that he was exceptional. I want to thank the team for overcoming all adversity and this guy who is continuing to make history. It's all been said before about Messi. He doesn't only score goals, he scores great goals; each one is better than the last. We are seeing the very best in action," Guardiola added.

Messi has now scored 54 goals from 45 matches in all competitions this season, which is also a career best for the three-time World Player of the Year.

"I'm sorry for those who try to take his throne but this kid is different, better, we are excited to have him," Guardiola concluded.