FC Barcelona turned on the style to thrash Real Valladolid 3-0 away in La Liga on Tuesday as Lionel Messi scored his 644th goal to surpass Pele as the all-time record scorer for a single club.
Messi finally got his first assist of the season when he picked out defender Clement Lenglet with a splendid cross and the Frenchman rose to head FC Barcelona in front after 21 minutes.
The Argentine also had a hand in FC Barcelona’s second goal, laying on a pass for right back Sergino Dest to latch on to down the right flank and play a cross into the path of Martin Braithwaite, who slid in to score in the 35th minute.
Record-breaking Messi capped a brilliant individual and team display with a splendid goal of his own midway through the second half.
This was when he ran in behind to meet a pass from teenager Pedri and slotted the ball into the far bottom corner.
- 2026 Peace Day: Peace Begins in the Classroom - September 20, 2026
- Chimamanda Adichie: My Son’s Death Has Changed How I Feel About Nigeria - September 14, 2026
- Social Media Citizen Journalists Have Seized Nigeria’s Newsroom - September 13, 2026