Messi happy to equal record

FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has spoken about his delight at having become Barcelona's second highest goalscorer.

With his brace against BATE in midweek, the tricky forward has now scored a remarkable 194 goals for Barcelona in his eight years in the first team.

In doing so, Messi equalled the record set by club legend Ladislao Kubala, who took 12 years to score the same number of goals.

"I am very satisfied that I have equalled someone who has been so important for this club in the past. I am really happy," Messi was quoted as saying by Marca.

"I knew that I could equal Kubala, but I didn't think about it before the match. I just want to do a good job and help the team.

"It would be great if I break the all-time record, but I'm not getting carried and I'm staying relaxed."

Messi is now within touching distance of César Rodríguez's record of 235 goals for the Catalan club, and with his phenominal scoring rate, he could yet achieve that target in this season itself.