Messi, the Barça player with second most appearances in the Champions League
The Argentinian has overtaken Iniesta in European competition and has Xavi's record in his sights
Club
Tickets & Museum
Lionel Messi had already surpassed Andrés Iniesta as the player with most League appearances for Barça, and now the Argentinian has overtaken the former blaugrana midfielder in terms of Champions League matches.
With the game against Manchester United at the Camp Nou, Messi made his 133rd appearance in the biggest continental competition, surpassing the 132 of the former Barça No.8. During these games, the Argentine has scored 108 goals (before the second leg against United), becoming the second highest scorer in the history of the competition. Now, the current captain will look to match - and eventually overcome - Xavi Hernández, who wore the shirt on 157 occasions in the Champions League, the last time when lifting the trophy in Berlin.
In total, seven blaugranes have played more than one hundred games with Barça in the Champions League, and all of them have been products of La Masia.
PLAYER | GAMES |
Xavi | 157 |
Messi | 133 |
Iniesta | 132 |
Puyol | 120 |
Víctor Valdés | 110 |
Piqué | 105 |
Sergio | 104 |