Messi scores four goals to pass 200-mark

a 5-1 rout of Osasuna on Sunday night.
With his 22nd hat trick for Barcelona and fifth game of four goals or more, Messi increased his La Liga total to 202 goals in 235 games.

The 25-year-old became the eighth player to reach 200, joining Telmo Zarra (251), Hugo Sanchez (234), Raul Gonzalez (228), Alfredo di Stefano (227), Cesar Rodriguez (223), Quini (219) and Pahino (210). Zarra had been the youngest to reach 200, achieving the feat when he was 29.

Messi has 44 goals this season, including 33 in La Liga. He has scored in his last 16 starts overall and in a record 11 consecutive La Liga games, breaking the old mark of 10 he tied last season. Mariano Martin (1942-43 to 1943-44) and Brazil’s Ronaldo (1996-97) also scored in 10 straight matches, both for Barcelona.
Barcelona is at Real Madrid tomorrow in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. — AFP.