Lionel Messi has joked that he will try to extend his world record set this weekend to make it harder for the next player to try and surpass.
The Argentine’s double against Real Betis moved him on to 86 goals for the calendar year, one more than Gerd Muller’s previous world record of 85 goals scored during 1972.
“The record is great for what it means, but the most important thing is that the team won and that we maintained the distance with the teams behind us,” commented the 25-year-old, who started the game despite suffering a bruised knee in midweek.
“I was eager to play after the scare on Wednesday. I’ll try to score more goals to make it more difficult for the next player that tries to break it,” he then joked.
“When the year starts the objective is to win it all with the team, personal records are secondary.”
A personal award Messi is in contention for is a fourth successive Ballon d’Or.
“If Iniesta wins it, it will be totally deserved and it would make me very happy. It’s a title for the whole team.”
Messi was talking after his two goals proved the difference for Barca away to Betis.
“Betis are a good team and it was an important victory, because it’s really hard to win here.
“We went ahead early and Betis created chances, but we also could have scored more goals.”
