Messi sets Barcelona scoring record of 234 goals

Lionel Messi set a Barcelona scoring record of 234 goals when he netted his third of the night in a La Liga match at home to Granada on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old World Player of the Year, who now has 54 goals in all competitions this season, earlier matched the previous best of 232 set by Cesar Rodriguez in the 1940s and 50s in his 314th appearance. Cesar needed 354 official games.

Messi broke the record in the 67th minute at the Nou Camp when the Argentina forward burst clear and lifted the ball over Granada goalkeeper Julio Cesar to make it 3-2 to the home side.

Messi's hat-trick set a new Barcelona scoring record as the La Liga champions won an action-packed home game against Granada 5-3 to close to within five points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

After Xavi's fourth-minute opener at the Nou Camp, Messi made it 2-0 in the 17th minute.

Barça seemed in complete control but Granada pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second half when Diego Mainz nodded in from a free kick and the visitors grabbed a shock equaliser from the penalty spot seven minutes later after Daniel Alves fouled Daniel Benitez.

Guilherme Siqueira kept his nerve to beat Victor Valdes and make it 2-2 before Messi restored Barca's lead just over 20 minutes from time.

He sped clear from an Alves pass and lifted the ball over Granada goalkeeper Julio Cesar to set a new all-time scoring record before substitute Cristian Tello made it 4-2 in the 82nd minute when he followed up from Messi's angled strike.

Messi completed his hat-trick four minutes later, his 234th Barça goal in official matches, and in an eventful finale Alves was shown a second yellow card and dismissed for a handball in the area.

Siqueira beat Valdes from the spot for a second time as Granada became the first team to put three goals past Barca at the Nou Camp this season.

Real Madrid play their game in hand at struggling Villarreal on Wednesday and have 71 points from 27 matches. Barça, chasing a fourth successive title, have 66 from 28 games.