Messi equals Samitier's total of Copa del Rey appearances

The presence of the Argentine numbe 10 in San Mamés means he now has played 75 games in the competition, the same number as another Barça legend

07:04PM Thursday 06 Feb (GMT)

First Team

06 Feb 20

Lionel Messi has moved level with a record established in 1932, with his participation in the Copa del Rey game against Athletic Club at San Mamés. The Argentinian has now featured in 75 matches in the cup competition, the same number as club record holder Josep Samitier.

Samitier, who played for FC Barcelona from 1919 to 1933, played his last match in the cup on June 9, 1932. It was, curiously enough, against Athletic Club, in a final held at Chamartin that ended in a 1-0 defeat.

Behind Messi and Samitier (75 games), lie Andrés Iniesta (73), Vicenç Piera (71) and Xavi Hernández (70) as the club's most prolific Copa del Rey participants.

11 goals from another record

As well as his milestone for games played, Lionel Messi is just 11 goals from matching the record for top goalscorer of all time in the cup. Samitier is also the pacesetter in that regard, with 64 goals, whilst Messi is on 53, having overtaken Kubala (49) last season.

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