Just In: Messi hits 600th career goal in Barca win over Atletico - Risingsuntv

Barcelona (Spain) – FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi
struck a remarkable 600th professional goal for club and
country on Sunday by scoring in his side’s Liga home win
over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid.


Messi
The Argentine slammed a free kick right into the near top
corner in the 26th minute to break the deadlock in the
top-of-the-table clash.


The goal put league leaders Barca 1-0 up at halftime, and
Messi was scoring from a set piece for the third game
running.







Messi is the leading scorer in La Liga this season with 24
goals from a total 28 in all competitions, and is also the
all-time top marksman in Spain’s top flight.

He is also the top scorer in the history of FC Barcelona
and Argentina.






The 30-year-old Argentine has scored 539 goals for Barca
in all competitions and 61 for his country.


The win also meant FC Barcelona remain unbeaten in the
league this season after scoring 100 goals, and they are
now eight points clear of their nearest rivals, Atletico
Madrid.


They close in on their ninth title triumph in 14 seasons
with 11 games left to play, and remain on course to
secure a treble of trophies.







Their UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg
against Chelsea will take place on March 14 and the
Spanish Cup final clash against Sevilla comes up next
month.(Reuters/NAN)