FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.10.2008 22:50

Messi’s 50th goal

Jordi Clos / Roger Bogunyà

Lionel Messi scored his 50th goal for FC Barcelona in Saint Jakob-Park on Wednesday night with what was a superb effort that gave the away side the lead after just four minutes.

The first goal of the night by the Argentinian forward against FC Basel saw him clinch his half-century of goals for the Blaugrana. Messi has played 119 official matches since making his debut for the club on October 16, 2004 against Espanyol in Montjuïc.

37 goals in the league

The 50 goals that Messi has scored are divided up in the following manner: 37 in the league, ten in the Champions League and three in the Copa del Rey. His first ever goal came in week 34 of the 2004/05 campaign in Camp Nou against Albacete.

Eighth goal of the season

Of that half-century , eight have come in the 2008/09 campaign with five in the league and three more in the Champions League, tow of which came in the final minutes against Shakhtar in Donetsk.

Messi’s has netted eleven goals in 24 matches in Europe, which gives him an average of almost two goals-per-game.