Messi, on the hunt for Xavi's record
Leo Messi continues to set records. With the victory last Wednesday against Inter Milan, the Argentinian reached 146 European matches played with FC Barcelona, the second most in the club's history. His appearance against the Italian team, a match in which he started and played 90 minutes, meant Messi surpassed Andrés Iniesta with whom he was tied on 145. There is now just one other Barça legend for him to beat: Xavi Hernández with 178 games.
In addition, the other two captains, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Piqué, are in sixth position tied on 116 games, only eight behind Víctor Valdés, who. The rest of the current squad players with most European appearances for Barça are Jordi Alba (61), Rakitic (57), Ter Stegen (55), Luis Súarez (53) and Sergi Roberto (47).
Below we review the historic Top 10:
PLAYER | GAMES | SEASONS |
Xavi Hernández | 178 | 1998-2015 |
Leo Messi | 146 | 2004-? |
Andrés Iniesta | 145 | 2002-2018 |
Carles Puyol | 137 | 1999-2014 |
Víctor Valdés | 124 | 2002-2014 |
Gerard Piqué | 116 | 2008-? |
Sergio Busquets | 116 | 2008-? |
Dani Alves | 90 | 2008-2016 |
Migueli | 85 | 1973-1989 |
Javier Mascherano | 74 | 2010-2018 |