Messi scores record-breaking goal

Lionel Messi Seville - Arabstoday Lionel Messi scored a brace to make history in Barcelona's 2-1 win at Real Betis on Sunday night. The 25-year old surpassed Gerd Mueller's 1972 record of 85 goals in a calendar year with his 85th and 86th goals in 2012. The first half double ensured Barcelona maintained their position at the top of La Liga, six points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, with an 11 point advantage over Real Madrid. After the game, Messi was gracious: "I've said it a lot, it's nice to beat records but the win for the team is what is important and the points difference at the top. My goals are to win titles with the team, the Spanish league, Spanish Cup or Champions League is more important than any personal records." Messi's two goals were as good as his previous 84. His first came 16 minutes in, when the Argentinian made a diagonal run across the Betis defence before hitting a left footed shot into the right hand corner. Nine minutes later he fired a first time shot past goalkeeper Adrian after a flowing Barcelona move. "My objective at the start of the season was to win another La Liga title," added Messi. Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova praised the talented frontman for his overall game: "He is still young and gives us so much, even tonight he helped us out defensively when we needed it, he has so many more qualities than just his goals." Messi has now scored 23 goals in La Liga this season.