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Ronald Koeman lavishes praise on history-making Lionel Messi

Koeman lavishes praise on history-making Messi
© Reuters
Lionel Messi said he never thought he would break records at the start of his career.

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman hailed Lionel Messi's creativity as the Argentine eclipsed Pele's long-standing record of goals for a single club with his 644th strike.

Messi's second-half goal in a 3-0 win over Valladolid saw him overtake the mark which the Brazil great had amassed over 19 seasons for Santos.

After the match, Messi posted his thanks to his supporters on Instagram, writing: "When I started playing football I never thought I would break any records.

"And even less the one that I achieved today which belonged to @pele ... I can only thank everyone who helped me over the years, my teammates, my family, my friends and everyone who supports me every day."

Clement Lenglet's header from a Messi cross had given Barcelona the lead after 21 minutes, with Martin Braithwaite, given a start ahead of Antoine Griezmann, knocking in a second before half-time.

Messi rounded off the scoring after 65 minutes when played in by a neat backheel from Pedri.

Koeman was quoted in Marca saying: "I've said it a lot, I see Leo happy here.

"He's very important for us with his creativity. You can see that when there are good players alongside him."

The team closed out for a first away LaLiga win since the start of October to sit fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who had earlier won at third-placed Real Sociedad.

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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone pictured in November 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico1815213682847
2Real Madrid19124334161840
3Sevilla20123528161239
4Barcelona19114439172237
5Villarreal2081022819934
6Real Sociedad2087531181331
7Granada208482434-1028
8Real Betis208392634-827
9Celta Vigo206682431-724
10CadizCadiz206681727-1024
11Athletic Bilbao197392623324
12Levante195862728-123
13Getafe196581723-623
14Valencia204882629-320
15EibarEibar214891723-620
16Real Valladolid214892132-1120
17Osasuna204791929-1019
18AlavesAlaves2046101829-1118
19ElcheElche183871625-917
20Huesca2121091730-1316

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