Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi snatched another La Ligations record in Sunday afternoon's victory over Deportivo Alaves. The 33-year-old played an active role in the day's 5-0 win and successfully overtook Xavi to become the player with the most assists in a single La Liga season.
After seeing Real Madrid usurp them as champions of Spain following their win over Villarreal in mid-week, Barcelona had only professional pride to play for in the away encounter. Quique Setien's men started off on a good note with Ansu Fati opening the scoring in the 24th minute after being set-up by Lionel Messi.
Having equalled Xavi's tally of 20 assists in a single season by setting up Arturo Vidal for the goal in the win over Real Valladolid last week, the Argentine topped up his haul for the season to surpass his former captain's record.
H I S T O R Y
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) July 19, 2020
With assists, Messi overtakes Xavi as the player with MOST ASSISTS in a single #LaLigaSantander season! #AlavesBarça pic.twitter.com/Lrx84HI2cJ
He subsequently doubled Barcelona's lead in the 34th minute before Luis Suarez made It 3-0 on the stroke of half-time. In the 57th minute, Nelson Semedo took the Catalans' lead to four before Messi scored the last goal of the day in the 75th minute.
So far, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has now been involved in 1000 goals in his career. He has scored 703 goals, and has assisted 297, having played 867 games.
