Messi sets new scoring record as Barca thrash Sevilla

Leo Messi made La Liga history when he scored a hat-trick which gave FC Barcelona a 5-1 win at home to Sevilla.

Messi's goals, on Saturday night came thanks to a magnificent 21st minute free kick, a 72nd minute tap in and a delightful left foot shot 12 minutes from time, were his 251st, 252nd and 253rd goals in the BBVA Primera Liga, beating the previous all-time scoring record of 251 goals set by former Athletic Club Bilbao striker, Telmo Zarra in the 1950's, reported Xinhua.

Barca were clearly superior to a Sevilla side which did not have a shot on goal during the entire game and whose solitary goal came at the start of the second half when Jordi Alba put the ball into his own net.

That momentarily made it 1-1, but Barca were almost immediately back in front through a Neymar header, before Luis Suarez set up Ivan Rakitic to score against his former club.

Messi's last two goals saw him set the new record and seal the win as the Camp Nou chanted his name to end a week that had started off with doubts over his future at the club.

Real Madrid had put Barca under pressure earlier in the day with a 4-0 win away to Eibar. Carlo Ancelotti' s side were made to work hard by a side that played with aggression and pride, but Real Madrid' s firepower was decisive and James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice and Karim Benzema goals sealed a win in what was probably Madrid's toughest away game since their 4-2 defeat to Real Sociedad early in the campaign.