If he plays against Huesca, the Argentine will equal Xavi as the player with the most games in FC Barcelona history (767) [photo courtesy]Lionel Messi is primed to equal Xavi Hernandez's record as Barcelona's highest all-time appearance maker in Monday's La Liga match at home to Huesca, completing a triple crown of the most prestigious records with the Catalan club. Messi will join former midfielder Xavi on 767 matches in all competitions should he take the field against Huesca at the Camp Nou and then move clear as Barca's record appearance maker when his side visit Real Sociedad next Sunday. The appearance record is one of the few milestones Messi had yet to achieve in his storied career with Barca, who he joined aged 13 in 2000 before making his debut in 2004. The 33-year-old Messi also holds Barca's records for most assists (289), most hat-tricks (48) and most goals in a single-season, a jaw-dropping 73 in the 2011-12 campaign. “The fact he is about to equal Xavi’s number of games is incredible," said Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman ahead of Monday's game.

Source: Standard Digital March 15, 2021 07:52 UTC