Messi 'never imagined' reaching 400-goal mark

Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi said he could never have envisaged scoring 400 goals in his career after passing that landmark in Barcelona's 6-0 rout over Granada.
The Argentine scored twice yesterday and took his tally of assists for the season to eight with two more as Neymar bagged a hat-trick to take Barca back to the top of the table.
Messi's two goals took him to 359 goals for Barca allied to his 42 at international level in 525 games for club and country.
"I never imagined I could achieve anything like this in my career," he said via his official Facebook page.

"Thanks for all the congratulations on scoring 400 goals with FC Barcelona and the Argentinian National Team. I'll continue working hard to reach more targets."
Messi is the only player to have started all seven games under new Barca boss Luis Enrique as the 44-year-old has been otherwise keen to rotate his squad.

But Enrique admitted even he is enjoying watching the 27-year-old too much to hand him a break.
"I don't think if we added together the goals we have scored on the playground it would reach 400," he said in his post-match press conference.
"Messi is someone who has been touched by a magic wand and he is desperate to enjoy playing football.

"I prefer to see him on the pitch until the last minute to press and participate in our collective play.
"The temptation is there, it could happen at any point in the season, but his habitat is on the field.
"He is very intelligent and knows how to manage his efforts and he is one of the players who presses the most. I am confident his physical ability is up to that of being the number one.