Messi surpasses Iniesta for Liga appearances

Leo Messi is now the player with the second highest number of league appearances for FC Barcelona. El Clásico was his 444th game in the blaugrana jersey, tying him with Andrés Iniesta in the all-time table, and after featuring in the game against Rayo Vallecano, the only player still ahead of him is Xavi Hernández, who played 505 Liga games for the club, 63 more than Messi’s tally

History makers

Next on the list are Carles Puyol (392) and Migueli (391). Of the members of the current squad, Messi’s closest challengers are Sergio Busquets in seventh overall (336) and Gerard Piqué (302).

Counting all competitive matches, Messi is just three short of Iniesta (674), while Xavi leads the way with 767.

Most wins

However, when it comes to league games that FC Barcelona won, the Argentinian is already the frontrunner. He has been involved in 331 victories, scoring a mammoth 408 goals in the process.