Blaugrana’s legend opened the scoring from the spot against PSG in the final first leg at 16 at Camp Nou
Lionel Messi has previously linked the Champions League record with Real Madrid legend Raul by scoring in his 17th consecutive year in the tournament.
Barcelona’s legend ceased from the spot in the 27th minute against PSG as the sides met at Camp Nou in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.
The goal followed a remarkable run for Messi, who scored his first goal in the Champions League in 2005.
Messi ties Raul’s record
Raul scored his first Champions League goal in 1995 as a teenager with Real Madrid, and would go on to score in every calendar year in the tournament through 2011, when at Schalke.
With his goal on Tuesday, Messi has now scored in just 17 years after, like Raul, opened his European account as a teenager with a Spanish giant.
17 – Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 has scored in the @ChampionsLeague for the 17th consecutive year (2005-2021), equivalent to the record of Raúl González (1995-2011). Impossible. pic.twitter.com/pXEhIq7Tcr
– OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 16, 2021
Another amazing trick
Messi’s goal against PSG was also his 20th of the season in all competitions, marking his 13th straight season that he has reached that mark.
20 – Lionel Messi’s penalty was his 20th goal of the season for Barcelona in all competitions; this is the 13th consecutive campaign he has received 20+ for the club. Great. pic.twitter.com/UUWSgghSGv
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 16, 2021
Messi closes in on another record
With a start on Tuesday, Messi made his 760th career for Barcelona in all competitions.
The 33-year-old is closing in on Barcelona’s full-time manager in appearance, Xavi, who scored 767 games during his time at Camp Nou.
Messi made his 505th La Liga appearance for Barca at the weekend against Alaves, tying Xavi’s full-time mark in that division.