Lionel Messi set to make his 500th appearance for FC Barcelona against Real Betis on Wednesday Dec 30,2015

 

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi is set to make his 500th appearance for Barcelona against Real Betis on Wednesday Dec 30,2015

Both Mundo Deportivo and Sport lead on the Argentine as he prepares to reach the milestone when Barcelona return to La Liga action at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.

 

Mundo Deportivo describe the feat as '500 magic nights' for the most decisive player in the history of the club, while also using a picture of Messi posing with a special commemorative shirt.

 

Note

MESSI BARCELONA MILESTONES

La Liga Debut - Oct 16, 2004 against Espanyol

100th Champions League Appearance - September 16, 2015 against Roma

250th La Liga Appearance - February 20, 2011 against Athletic Bilbao 

Lionel Messi Scores his 425th  Goal in 500th Game for FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi scored in his 500th match for Barcelona to help them ease past Real Betis 4-0 on Wednesday Dec 30,2015 and ensure they kept the lead of the Spanish league to conclude a superb year for the Catalan club

 

 

 

 

Before kickoff Andres Iniesta paraded its recently won Club World Cup trophy, its fifth title won in 2015

FC Barcelona players pose with their five trophies – (from left) Spanish Liga, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and Spanish Copa del Rey – before the match against Real Betis.

Lionel Messi recovered from a hard knock with Antonio Adan that was ruled a penalty against the Betis goalkeeper, by scoring Barcelona's second goal, after an own goal put the Catalan side on its way

Luis Suarez scored twice after halftime to take over from Neymar as the competition's leading scorer with 15, and only the woodwork - which Messi, Neymar, and Dani Alves all hit in the second half - saved Betis from an even bigger loss

The four goals scored took their year's tally to 180, bettering Madrid's milestone of 178 from 2014.