Messi
Messi and Dest both scored twice against Sociedad.
Getty/Soccrates Images
  • Lionel Messi became Barcelona's record appearance maker on Sunday.
  • The Argentine scored twice and set up another in a 6-1 win over Real Sociedad.
  • After, he was urged to stay at the club by former record holder Xavi Hernandez.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Lionel Messi marked becoming FC Barcelona's record appearance maker with a masterful performance in a thumping 6-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The Argentine, playing in a record 768th game for the club, scored twice and set up another as Ronald Koeman's side moved to within four points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring after 36 minutes before Messi teed up American Sergiño Dest moments later for his first ever goal in the Spanish top flight.

Dest scored again shortly after half time, with Messi's brace then completing the scoring either side of a strike from Ousmane Dembele and a stunning goal from Sociedad's Ander Barrenetxea.

Messi's double means he has now scored 663 goals in all competitions for Barca since making his debut in 2003.

The 33-year-old has also scored 23 times in La Liga this season, making him the division's top scorer.

Following the match, Barcelona released a video in which a number of the club's current and former players, including Carles Puyol, Ronaldinho, and Neymar, congratulated Messi on his landmark appearance.

Xavi Hernandez, whose record Messi broke on Sunday, ended the video with a special message in which he appeared to plead with Messi to stay at the Camp Nou.

"It's an honor for me that you have beaten me in the number of matches played for Barca," said Xavi. "I encourage you to keep fighting, that you achieve many more seasons and matches, and the story continues."

Messi handed in a transfer request last summer in an attempt to leave the club. Although he ultimately opted to stay to see out the remainder of his contract, he is free to leave at the end of the season, and is yet to sign a new deal in the Catalan city.

It remains unclear what Messi plans to do after his Barcelona contract ends, and he hasn't publicly commented on his status since December 2020.

Barcelona next takes on Real Valladolid following the international break.on Monday April 5.

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