Lionel Messi Breaks Barcelona Scoring Record with Hat Trick

It only took Lionel Messi seventeen minutes against Granada to equal Barcelona's all-time scoring record. His volley off Isaac Cuenca's deflected cross pinged in from the post and gave the Argentinian 232 goals in his Barcelona career.

It took him fifty more minutes to break the tie with club legend Cesar Rodriguez by lofting his 233 career goal over the outstretched arms of Granada keeper Júlio César. Another 20 and Messi was just padding his own record when he dribbled around the keeper to finish his hat trick.

His second and third goals were decisive for the team as well. After taking a 2-0 lead, Barcelona had allowed Granada back in the game by conceding twice in seven minutes during the second half. Messi's second half brace sandwiched a Cristian Tello strike to extend the margin far enough that even an 89th minute penalty kick given away by Dani Alves couldn't jeopardize the three points.

While Pep Guardiola has repeatedly said that his team will not catch Real Madrid in the league this season, a second place finish would have been virtually assured if Barcelona had dropped points.

The 5-3 victory moved Barca to a position just five points behind the league leaders, having played one more game than Jose Mourinho's men. Madrid next take the field Wednesday away to Villareal.

Messi has scored 54 goals in all competitions for Barca this year. It took him just 314 career appearances to break Rodriguez' 60-year-old scoring mark.