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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Messi hits 600th career goal in Barca clash with Atletico

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 4, 2018 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores their first goal from a free kick REUTERS/Juan Medina

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi struck a remarkable 600th professional goal for club and country on Sunday by scoring the opener in his side's Liga clash at home to nearest challengers Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine slammed a free kick right into the near top corner in the 26th minute to break the deadlock in the top-of-the-table clash and put league leaders Barca 1-0 up at halftime, scoring from a set piece for the third game running.

Messi is the leading scorer in La Liga this season with 24 goals and is also the all-time top marksman in Spain's top flight. He is also the top scorer in the history of Barcelona and Argentina.

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 4, 2018 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Juan Medina

The Argentine, 30, has scored 539 goals for Barca in all competitions and 61 for his country.

(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Clare Fallon)

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 4, 2018 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Juan Medina
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 4, 2018 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores their first goal from a free kick REUTERS/Albert Gea
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