NICOSIA, (Reuters) – Barcelona forward Lionel Messi set a Champions League scoring record of 72 goals when he struck in the 38th minute of yesterday’s Group F match at APOEL Nicosia.
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The Barca and Argentina captain, 27, surpassed the record of 71 he jointly held with former Real and Schalke 04 striker Raul when he put Barcelona 2-0 ahead.
Messi’s record tally in Europe’s elite club competition is the latest milestone in his stellar career after he broke the six decades-old La Liga scoring record with a hat-trick in Barca’s 5-1 victory at home to Sevilla on Saturday.