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LIONEL MESSI scored his 643rd goal for Barcelona to equal Pelé’s incredible record for the most goals scored for a club.
The Nou Camp captain accomplished the phenomenal feat during his team’s 202 draw with Valencia.
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The Argentine star has been a talisman for the Catalan giants since he joined the club as a teenager from Newell Old Boys.
To date, the prolific playmaker has won 34 trophies with Barça, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
And now he shares a goal tally with the great soccer player Pelé, winner of the World Cup.
The 80-year-old Brazil icon scored 643 times in 656 official games for Santos between 1954 and 1976.
And he posted a message for Messi on his Facebook page, beaming: “When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path.
“Like you, I know what it is to love to wear the same shirt every day. Like you, I know that there is nothing better than where we feel at home.
“Congratulations on your historical record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona.
“Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, will unfortunately be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much.”
Messi’s historic goal came courtesy of an airborne header in the final stages of the first half of Barcelona’s league game this season.
The Argentine had seen a penalty stopped by Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenich shortly before scoring.
And the Camp Nou giants, who had leveled off thanks to the effort of their captain in the first half, went ahead with Ronald Araujo’s goal in the 52nd minute.
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However, Valencia refused to be carried away and picked up the tie in the second half to share the spoils.
The result moves Barcelona to fifth and eight points behind La Liga leaders Atlético de Madrid.
A clash with Valladolid will be the last game that Messi and his teammates play before Christmas.
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