ANKARA
Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading goal scorer in the Union of European Football Associations' Champions League with a total of 74 goals.
Barcelona's Argentine star found the net for the 72th time during the Champions League group stage match with Greek Cypriot administration's APOEL, breaking the record at that point.
The 27-year-old record breaker scored at the 37th minute of the action against Barcelona's opponent, giving a 2-0 lead to his team before half-time.
Messi broke the record of former Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez, who managed to hit it in 142 Champions League appearances.
The Argentine scoring machine eventually scored two more goals to make a 'hat-trick,' raising the record bar to 74 goals.
Barcelona cruised past their opponent APOEL 4-0 in the Champions League's Group F match, thanks to three record-breaking goals from Messi.
However, Messi does not stand alone in this competition, Real Madrid's striker Cristiano Ronaldo is right behind him as the third all-time scorer with 70 goals.
Ronaldo will also look to shine in his club's match against the Swiss team FC Basel on Wednesday.
Messi regularly breaks records. He also set a new record Saturday as well when he raised the number of his goals scored in the Spanish La Liga to 253 with a hat trick against Sevilla. That goal made him the all-time top scorer in the history of La Liga.
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