Lionel Messi beats Xavi’s record with 506th La Liga appearance for Barcelona

Footballer Lionel Messi added another record to his name during Barcelona’s match against Cadiz on Sunday. Messi broke a club record by making his 506th La Liga appearance for Barcelona. He overtook club legend Xavi Hernandez, who had represented the club in 505 la Liga matches.

Messi marked the occasion with a goal in the 32nd minute, his own spot-kick looking likely to secure a narrow win for his side. But Barcelona could not capitalise on the goal, and Cadiz scored from a penalty in the 89th minute to snatch a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou.

Messi’s goal was the 16th one he has scored this season. On the top-scorers chart, he is currently level with Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez.

The 33-year-old cooly rolled the ball into the corner after Pedri was stopped from breaking through, sandwiched between Salvi and Isaac Carcelen.

Barcelona is placed third on the La Liga table with 47 points, eight behind the table-toppers Atletico Madrid. With the draw, Barcelona missed out on the opportunity to close the gap by 3 points on Atletico. On Saturday, Atletico had lost their home game to Levante.

Barcelona had won their previous seven games and another victory would have put them back within touching distance of Atletico, even if La Liga’s leaders have played one game fewer.

Instead, manager Ronald Koeman is left to reflect on a hugely disappointing week for his team, that saw them hammered 4-1 by PSG on Tuesday and slip up at home to relegation-battling Cadiz.