Lionel Messi Scores the Only Goal You Need to See This Weekend (Video)

On its own, Lionel Messi's fourth goal Saturday against Espanyol was nothing special.

Five minutes after completing yet another hat-trick, Messi scored from the spot to give Barca their final goal in a 4-0 La Liga win.

But we live in a world where context matters, and this goal had plenty of it.

First, Messi now has 72 goals in all competitions this season. When he scored No. 71 he broke yet another record.

This time, I'm told the record belonged to one Archie Stark of Bethlehem Steel from the 1924-25 season.

Second, after his final goal, Messi jogged over to Pep Guardiola on the touchline and celebrated with his outgoing coach. The rest of Messi's teammates followed, and Pep was visibly touched.

I have nothing snarky to say here. Pep was on the verge of tears, and that's cool.

Messi's tribute obviously meant a lot to him, even if he is leaving the team at the end of the season.

And what's just as clear is the amount of respect Messi has for Guardiola. I doubt we'll see another combination quite like those two for some time.

So that's why Messi's goal receives the top honor this weekend here at B/R. There were other landmark goals—Clint Dempsey's 50th in the Premier League, Yaya Toure's breakthrough strike that all but sealed the English title for Manchester City—but this one stood out from the pack for multiple good reasons.

Oh, and by the way, that makes 50 league goals for Lionel Messi this season alone.

Kid is unreal.

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