Thanks to the success on Monday evening, Barcelona pushed their arch-rivals Real Madrid back from second place. After the 27th matchday, Ronald Koeman’s team was separated by four points from leaders Atletico Madrid. Barca have now been unbeaten in 17 league games.
Messi gave the starting shot and the final point with goals 660 and 661 in the Barca jersey (13th / 90th). The French world champion Antoine Griezmann (35th) and Oscar Mingueza (53rd) were also successful hosts. National goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was only powerless when Rafael Mir Vicente (45 + 4) took a penalty.
The club paid homage to Messi (33) in his record game with a large banner in the empty stands, it showed the six-time world footballer arm in arm with his former teammate Xavi.
“It could only be Leo,” Xavi said of Messi’s brand at Mundo Deportivo. “It is absolutely fair that the best player in history is the one who has defended Barca’s colors the most.” Next Sunday (9 p.m.) in the away game at Real Sociedad, the Argentine is likely to become Barca’s sole record player.
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