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Lionel Messi: Barcelona star scores 300th league goal for club

Story highlights
  • Lionel Messi becomes first player to score 300 goals in Spain's top division
  • Messi scores twice in 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon
  • Luis Suarez scores 40th goal of the season
  • Reigning champion six points clear in La Liga

(CNN) Another day, another record broken -- this time football superstar Lionel Messi became the first player to score 300 goals in Spain's La Liga.

The five-time world player of the year scored his 300th and 301st league goals against Sporting Gijon Wednesday.

His 25th minute strike brought up the 300 and seemingly not content with that, he added his second six minutes later with a wonderfully struck effort with the outside of the boot.

Sporting had equalized through Carlos Castro before Messi restored Barcelona's advantage four minutes later.

Luis Suarez, who had a second half penalty saved, added a third with a spectacular curling effort to claim his 40th goal of the season.

Messi was just 17 when he scored his first goal for the club on May 1 2005 -- a delightful chip in the victory over Albacete at Camp Nou.

His 301 league goals have come in just 334 La Liga appearances.

The result leaves Barcelona six points ahead of nearest challenger Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

It is also unbeaten in its past 31 matches in all competitions.

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