Lionel Messi ready for 350th game as Barcelona take on Athletic Club

Lionel Messi ready for 350th game as Barcelona take on Athletic Club

Lionel Messi will play his 350th game for Barcelona on Sunday night in Bilbao. The Cathedral, an emblematic scene for a legendary footballer. The Argentine has recharged his batteries after Copa America final defeat with Argentina, and started the new season like a cyclone, with three goals in three games. 

The No 10 is fifth in the list of Barcelona players with most appearances, currently on 349, behind Victor Valdes (387), Migueli (391), Carles Puyol (392) and Xavi Hernandez (505). Messi has 314 goals in this time which has served Barcelona to win 263 games. Superb numbers. And while Barcelona have enjoyed his talent, rivals have suffered. Messi provokes both panic and admiration. Only four sides he has faced have been able to stop him: Cadiz, Murcia, Las Palmas and Xerez. The rest have suffered. 

Messi has scored 10 or more goals against 18 teams, and nine of those see him with an average of more than a goal a game. He has scored most against Atletico (21), while Rayo is the team he nets past most on average (1.78 a game). At 29 he does not appear to be in decline. 

Against Betis he gave a football lesson, wearing the armband, as he will do tonight in Iniesta's absence. Messi is playing at a great stadium on his 350th appearance, fitting for a legendary player. A legend that continues.