Madrid: Lionel Messi has made footballing history, scoring a hat-trick against Sevilla which made him the highest scorer in the history of the Spanish La Liga.
Messi's 252nd, 253rd and 254th goals Saturday saw him beat the record set by Telmo Zarra, the legendary Athletic Club Bilbao striker during the 1950s, reports Xinhua.
Although Messi failed to speak to the press after his record setting display, perhaps because of rumours published about his future at the club earlier in the week, which blew out of all proportions, Messi reportedly said you never know what can happen in the future.
The striker was cheered off the pitch in the Camp Nou stadium with around a 100,000 fans chanting his name. He later published a message on his Facebook site.
"When I scored my first goal in the league, I never expected to beat any record, especially the great Telmo Zarra," he wrote.
"Now that dream has been fulfilled thanks to all of those who have helped me over the years and the record is for all of them. It is also for all of those who have supported me and who are no longer here. I still have them in my mind. Thank you," he said.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique added his voice to those praising the striker.
"It is virtually impossible to compare Messi to anyone and we have the good fortune to be able to enjoy him. At this level, the fact we have a player able to do things like this is unique and impossible to repeat," he commented.
