MADRID, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Leo Messi made history on Saturday night as he scored four goals in his side's 4-0 win over local rivals Espanyol to take his total of league goals for the season to 50.
No player in the history of the Spanish league has ever reached the 50-goal mark, with the previous record held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who last season netted 43 goals.
Messi opened his account with a first half free kick which curled away from Espanyol goalkeeper Christian Alvarez.
He then added a penalty on 63 minutes, before outsprinting the Espanyol defense to net a third 10 minutes later with a powerful left foot shot.
Messi then reached the incredible 50 goal mark 11 minutes from time, once again from the penalty spot, following a foul on Sergio Busquets.
The striker almost scored his fifth goal of the night in the closing minutes of the game, but his shot drifted just wide of the post.
It was the perfect way to celebrate Pep Guardiola's final game as Barca coach in the Camp Nou Stadium, after the man who had helped develop Messi into the best player in the world, announced eight days ago that he was leaving his position after four years at the club.