Barcelona’s Messi keen to keep scoring

Lionel Messi eager to continue his good work after becoming second highest goal-scorer for Barcelona during 5-0 win over BATE

Barcelona's Messi keen to keep scoring

Lionel Messi eager to continue his good work after becoming second highest goal-scorer for Barcelona during 5-0 win over BATE

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi has expressed his delight at having equalled club legend Ladislao Kubala in the Catalans' all-time goalscoring charts.

Inching closer: Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates a goal during the
Champions League match against Bate in Minsk on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

The Argentina international netted a brace in his side's 5-0 Champions League win over BATE Borisov on Wednesday and has now scored 194 times for Barcelona, exactly as many as the Budapest-born attacker during his 12 years at Camp Nou.

Messi will need to beat Cesar Rodriguez's tally of 235 in order to become Barcelona's all-time goalscorer. "I am very satisfied that I have equalled someone who has been so important for this club in the past. I am really happy," Messi was quoted as saying by Marca.

"I knew that I could equal Kubala, but I didn't think about it before the match. I just want to do a good job and help the team.

"It would be great if I break the all-time record, but I'm not getting carried and I'm staying relaxed."
Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola wants his side to forever show the desire that has brought them success.

Guardiola hopes his side can always maintain their combative approach and said: "(I hope) they don't lose the competitive spirit they have shown this Wednesday, and that has characterised this team for so long..... this spirit I've been seeing for years. It's imbedded. I'm very clear that they feel it. It doesn't matter if we win or lose, but we always have to keep doing the same things."

Despite the scoreline Barca had to work hard to break down an obdurate defence with the partisan home crowd on their feet whenever their side entered the Barcelona half.

Of Messi, Guardiola expects the Argentinian to break Cesar Rodriguez's 235-goal record as long as he stays at the Nou Camp. "He's equalled another Barca legend, who, by the way he played and was, changed this club. With Kubala's football the Les Corts stadium became too small.

"The only way Messi won't catch Cesar is if he leaves here, but we hope he continues for many years. If at 24 years old he's done what he's done, I can only congratulate him."

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