Lionel Messi marks record-equalling 767th appearance with brace in Barcelona win

Spain Soccer La Liga
(Image credit: Joan Monfort)

Lionel Messi scored a brace on his record-equalling 767th appearance for Barcelona in a comprehensive 4-1 LaLiga victory over Huesca.

The 33-year-old scored his side’s first and fourth goals as Barca climbed into second place in the table to move within four points of league leaders Atletico Madrid.

Messi matched Xavi’s all-time appearance record in the Barcelona shirt, a career which includes winning 34 trophies and now scoring 661 goals since he made his debut in 2004, with 27 so far this season.

In typical fashion of the Argentinian forward, Messi put Barcelona ahead in the 13th minute.

He took a touch before unleashing a curled shot from 20 yards, which hit the underside of the crossbar before going past goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez.

Barcelona doubled their lead in the 34th minute with Antoine Griezmann scoring in almost identical fashion to Messi’s opener, a curled finish into the top corner.

In the final moments of the first half, Huesca were awarded a penalty on VAR review for a foul on Rafa Mir, who also dispatched the spot-kick into the corner to halve the home side’s advantage.

Messi has scored 661 goals for Barcelona since his debut in 2004

Messi has scored 661 goals for Barcelona since making his debut in 2004 (Joan Monfort/AP)

Messi then turned provider for Barcelona’s third, crossing from the left to Oscar Mingueza who headed the ball into the net from close range for his maiden club goal.

Huesca almost pulled another goal back when Mir found himself in the six-yard box as the ball came across the face of goal, but he mistimed his jump and the ball rebounded off his chest and over the top.

Messi completed his double at the death as he cut inside before sending another strike from outside the box into the back of the net to cap his record-levelling appearance with two goals and one assist, as Huesca remain bottom of the table and four points from safety.

Read more
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi cries during a press conference at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 8, 2021. - The six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi had been expected to sign a new five-year deal with Barcelona on August 5 but instead, after 788 games, the club announced he is leaving at the age of 34. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi ready for sensational Barcelona return - 'I can't leave football without playing at the new Camp Nou': report
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts during the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and New York City FC at Chase Stadium on February 22, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Quiz! Can you get 100% on our big Lionel Messi quiz?
ATLANTA, GA MARCH 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami reacts during the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United FC on March 16th, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Barcelona
Lionel Messi return to Barcelona being 'slowly prepared', with Blaugrana setting clear date for permanent deal: report
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his second goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid at Camp Nou in March 2007.
Players who scored a hat-trick in El Clasico
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring for Barcelona against Manchester City in the Champions League in October 2016.
'Obviously Messi is the best player in history and being compared to him means that you're doing things right, but I try to be myself': Barcelona star responds to comparisons with Argentine legend
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 19: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami controls the ball during a 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup first leg match between Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami at Sporting Park on February 19, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi just answered if he can do it on a cold, Tuesday night in Stoke after playing in -17 degrees temperature
Latest in
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Orlando Pride players raise the trophy during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch NWSL: Live streams, TV information for National Women's Soccer League 2025
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
Latest in News
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Jude Bellingham signed terms with adidas in 2024
RANKED! The top 10 Adidas football athletes of 2025