Record Breaker Lionel Messi's 40 Best La Liga Goals for Barcelona

With his 251st and 252nd goals in the league match against Sevilla on Saturday, Lionel Messi overtook the great Telmo Zarra to become the all-time leading goalscorer in La Liga history.

For good measure, he then scored his 253rd, celebrating the new record with a hat-trick.

To commemorate that immense achievement—Messi remains just 27, so figures to have a fair few more good goalscoring years ahead of him—here we will remember 40 of the best goals the diminutive Argentinian has scored against terrorised Spanish defences.

Even removing his Champions League and Copa del Rey goals from the equation, the Argentinian is not exactly struggling for material for his highlight reel.

From 40-21...

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To speed up the process slightly, here are 20 of Messi's best goals that did not quite make the top 20. In no particular order...

vs. Granada (September 2014)

vs. Sevilla (March 2012)

vs. Real Madrid (March 2007)—his first Clasico goal

vs. Real Madrid (May 2009)

vs. Real Madrid (May 2009)

vs. Real Madrid (April 2010)

vs. Real Madrid (March 2014)

vs. Deportivo la Coruna (December 2007)

vs. Deportivo la Coruna (January 2011)

vs. Malaga (May 2012)

vs. Racing Santander (November 2005)

vs. Sevilla (October 2006)

vs. Real Zaragoza (September 2007)

vs. Granada (March 2012)

vs. Espanyol (May 2012)

vs. Racing Santander (August 2010)

vs. Espanyol (May 2012)

vs. Almeria (February 2014)

vs. Elche (August 2014)

vs. Valencia (March 2010)

vs. Sevilla (February 2014)

Even in the wet, Messi has a touch and poise that most other players can only dream about. This is a beautiful half-volley.

vs. Valencia (January 2014)

Many of Messi's Liga goals have come from the penalty spot. He does not have a perfect record from 12 yards, but he usually tends to finish them off pretty emphatically. This strike against Valencia is a prime example.

vs. Malaga (January 2010)

Obviously the majority of goals come from Messi's imperious left foot, but he has scored the odd header, too.

Some of them not bad either, like this one against Malaga.

vs. Sevilla (November 2008)

There seems to be something about the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan that inspires Messi to score fine goals. Poor Sevilla.

vs. Real Madrid (November 2012)

Just months earlier, Messi had scored a similarly spectacular free-kick past Iker Casillas in the Spanish Super Cup. This one also left Spain's No. 1 with no chance.

vs. Zaragoza (March 2010)

Strength, touch, pace and then a fine finish. Beautiful.

vs. Real Madrid (March 2007)

At 19, this goal completed Messi's first hat-trick against Real Madrid, not long after his first-ever goal against the old enemy. A very clear sign of what was to come, as the teenager dances on to his left foot before rifling home on the move.

vs. Deportivo La Coruna (October 2012)

The defence never got near him. As the commentator sums it up, "Bueno, bueno, bueno, bueno."

vs. Real Madrid (December 2008)

Messi rounded off a 2-0 victory in this Clasico meeting with a cheeky chip against the unsuspecting Iker Casillas. Lovely.

vs. Deportivo La Coruna (March 2013)

The finish here can only be described as insouciant.

vs. Malaga (January 2012)

Another slick finish to complete a brilliant driving run into the Malaga box.

vs. Real Valladolid (December 2012)

Even Lionel Messi goals are made better by a cheeky nutmeg in the build-up.

vs. Real Sociedad (December 2010)

Just turn him on to his right foot, lads! His right foot!!!

vs. Tenerife (January 2010)

Something a bit different from the Argentinian: A sublime lob to embarrass another goalkeeper in yet another way.

vs. Atletico Madrid (February 2012

Yes, Thibaut Courtois was not quite prepared for this shot. But nevertheless, Messi puts it in the absolute top corner. Whoa.

vs. Athletic Bilbao

Simply magisterial from the little magician.

vs. Almeria (September 2013)

A one-two and then in off the post from outside the box. Seriously, how do you even stop that?!

vs. Levante (September 2014)

Mesmeric feet from the No. 10 and then a deft lob to render the covering defender utterly helpless.

vs. Villarreal (March 2010)

Two one-two interchanges this time in the build-up but the same old lofted finish to bamboozle the goalkeeper. Even if you know what he is going to do, Messi finds a way to get the ball in the net in the most remarkable manner possible.