Lionel Messi became the highest goal scorer (22) as a substitute in La Liga than any other player in the 21st century.
And all of this while being benched. Barcelona played host to Leganes on Sunday in a game that saw team captain Messi start at the bench. The manager put him back in the game after Martin Braithwaite’s equaliser for Leganes.
ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar praises security guard for doing his job obstructing Roger Federer
The Argentine ace came off the bench to secure the win for Barca with a stoppage-time goal. With this goal, the 31-year-old has scored 25 goals for the side so far this season and took up his La Liga goal tally till date to 401.
Messi’s side won the game 3-1 with Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez scoring the other two goals.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is also close to breaking a goal-scoring record held by Brazilian legend Pele since 1974. While the Brazilian has 619 goals to his name, Messi has 576 goals in 660 appearances so far.
18 games, 18 goals.
Messi = dominance. 👑⚽️#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/6giqVKSP12
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) January 20, 2019