Lionel Messi became Barcelona's record appearance maker on Sunday.- The Argentine scored twice and set up another goal in a 6-1 win over Real Sociedad.
- After, he was urged to stay at the club by the former record holder Xavi Hernández.
Lionel Messi marked becoming FC Barcelona's record appearance maker with a masterful performance in a thumping 6-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.
The Argentine, playing in a record 768th game for the club, scored twice and set up another goal as Ronald Koeman's side moved to within four points of
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring after 36 minutes before Messi teed up the American Sergiño Dest moments later for his first goal in the Spanish top flight.
Dest scored again shortly after halftime, with Messi's brace then completing the scoring on either side of a strike from Ousmane Dembele and a stunning goal from Sociedad's Ander Barrenetxea.
Messi's double means he has now scored 663 goals in all competitions for Barca since making his debut in 2003.
The 33-year-old has also scored 23 times in La Liga this season, making him the division's top scorer.
-FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 21, 2021
Following the match, Barcelona released a video in which several of the club's current and former players, including Carles Puyol, Ronaldinho, and Neymar, congratulated Messi on his landmark appearance.
Xavi Hernández, whose record Messi broke Sunday, ended the video with a special message in which he appeared to plead with Messi to stay at the Camp Nou.
"It's an honor for me that you have beaten me in the number of matches played for Barca," Xavi said. "I encourage you to keep fighting, that you achieve many more seasons and matches, and the story continues."
Messi handed in a transfer request last summer in an attempt to leave the club. Though he ultimately opted to stay to see out the remainder of his contract, he is free to leave at the end of the season and is yet to sign a new deal in the Catalan city.
Messi's plans remain unclear, and he hasn't publicly commented on his status since December.
Barcelona next takes on Real Valladolid on Monday, April 5, following the international break.