La Liga's new Messi-ah
Lionel Messi became the all-time top goalscorer in La Liga history with a hat-trick as Barcelona swept aside Sevilla 5-1 on Saturday to remain two points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid.
Messi, 27, moved level with legendary Basque striker Telmo Zarra when he opened the scoring with a trademark free-kick to register his 251st goal in his 289th appearance in the Spanish top flight.
A Jordi Alba own goal briefly brought Sevilla level early in the second-half, but Neymar swiftly restored Barca's advantage before Ivan Rakitic made the game safe when he headed home Luis Suarez's enticing cross against his old club.
Messi then took over as he slid in to convert Neymar's low cross to set the new record and extended it moments later with a precise low finish to round off a fine evening for Luis Enrique's men.
"When I scored this goal, I couldn't imagine I could break any record, let alone this one previously held by the great Telmo Zarra," wrote Messi.
"I was only able to achieve this because of the support I have had from so many people during my time here and I would like to dedicate this achievement to you all.
"Thanks for always being with me. I would also like to dedicate this to the people who are no longer with us anymore. I will never forget you. Thank you everyone for standing with me."
Messi's moment came midway through the first-half as his free-kick curled perfectly into Beto's top right-hand corner to register his 12th goal of the season.
Suarez's search for his first Barca goal will stretch into a fifth game, but the Uruguayan did provide his fourth assist in four outings with a great run and cross which left Rakitic with a simple task to make it 3-1.
Neymar unselfishly squared for Messi to move out on his own ahead of Zarra when he tapped home the Brazilian's low cross and he was then thrown into the air by his teammates in celebration.
However, the four-time World Player of the Year wasn't finished as he sealed his 27th Barcelona hat-trick from Neymar's pass 13 minutes from time.
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