Messi not focused on Raul record

Lionel Messi has made clear that his primary objective at Barcelona is not to overtake Raul Gonzalez in the Champions League scoring charts.

The Argentine’s hat-trick in Barca’s 4-0 win at home to Ajax in Group H’s opener on Wednesday night brought him up to 62 goals in the competition.

Whilst this leaves him nine behind the Real Madrid legend’s leading figure of 71, the striker has insisted his focus lies elsewhere.

“The idea of overtaking Raul at the top of the all-time Champions League scoring charts is a fine challenge, but it is not essential,” reflected Messi post-match.  

“We, as a team, have other more important objectives. For example, to get as far as we are capable of in this competition. To try to win it again.

“Whether the right number of goals come for me this season or not is not so important.

“Obviously I am pleased that tonight makes it 62 Champions League goals but above that is the result and how our team played.

“I thought this was a very good Ajax side, always attempting to play football, to win the ball off us and to keep it.

“So to get a win of this margin has been a good night's work. It was good to play against a rival who wanted to compete in pure football terms with us. That will have made it a good game to watch.”

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