Messi tops Di Stefano as Barcelona, Atletico go clear

Monday, 17 February 2014 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Lionel Messi overhauled Alfredo Di Stefano’s La Liga goals tally as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid warmed up for midweek Champions League action with wins on Saturday that put them three points clear of Real Madrid at the top.

Back to his best after returning from a two-month injury layoff in early January, Messi struck twice in Barca’s 6-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp to take his total in Spain’s top flight to 228 goals from 263 matches, one more than Real Madrid great Di Stefano managed in 329 games. Still only 26, Messi climbed above his Argentine compatriot to joint third on the all-time list behind record marksman Telmo Zarra (251) and Hugo Sanchez (234) and level with Raul. “I would like to think that Messi has still not completely recovered (from his injury),” Barca coach Gerardo Martino told a news conference. “If he wants to, he will break all the records that he likes,” added the Argentine, who hails from Messi’s home town of Rosario. Barca, chasing a fifth La Liga title in six years, totally outclassed Madrid-based Rayo and took the lead in the second minute when fullback Adriano cut inside from the left and his low effort scooted inside the far post.