Lionel Messi has broken Gerd Müller's calendar goals record after he struck twice for Barcelona in their 2-1 Primera Liga win at Real Betis on Sunday night.
The 24-year-old scored his double inside 25 minutes as Barça raced ahead to surpass German striker Müller's 1972 haul.
Lionel Messi
It caps another superb year for the Argentine, who became Barcelona's all-time record goalscorer last season despite the Blaugrana's failure to win either the Primera Liga or the Champions League.
"I always say the same, it's nice for what it means but the victory is more important as it maintains our lead over the other teams," Messi modestly told Canal Plus afterwards.
"My goal when the year began was to try to achieve everything again, with the team, in the league, the (King's) Cup, the Champions League. I always start with that idea in mind."
West Germany international Müller Mueller scored 72 times for Bayern Munich and 13 for Die Mannschaft at the age of 27 40 years ago.
MESSI'S GOALS BY MONTH
- January 7
- February 10
- March 13
- April 9
- May 8
- June 4
- July 0
- August 7
- September 5
- October 10
- November 9
- December 4