Enough with the goals; bring on the trophies

Lionel Messi insisted his record-breaking 86-goal haul in 2012 will count for nothing if Barcelona misses out on La Liga and Champions League titles.

The 25-year-old was happier to highlight the win more than the record as his team eyes a domestic and European double.

"I've said it a lot, it's nice to beat records, but the win for the team is what is important and the points difference at the top," said Messi as Barcelona maintained its six-point lead over Atletico Madrid and 11-point gap on Real Madrid.

"My goals are to win titles with the team - the Spanish league, Spanish Cup or Champions League is more important than any personal records."

It did not take long for Messi to equal Mueller's record with his side's first real attack on 16 minutes in Seville, making a diagonal run across the Betis defense before hitting a left-footed shot into the right-hand corner.

His history-making moment came nine minutes later when he struck from an almost identical position after good play from Adriano and Andres Iniesta.

"My objective at the start of the season was to win another La Liga title," said Messi, who is in line to win a record fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.

For that accolade, he will face competition from teammate Iniesta and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

"If Iniesta wins, it will be well-deserved for all that he has done, for the way he plays. Again, it will also be a prize for the dressing room," Messi said.

Barca coach Tito Vilanova looked forward to more to come from Messi, who now has 74 goals in all competitions for Barcelona this year as well as 12 for Argentina, having played 66 games in all. His La Liga tally is already up to 23 for this season alone and he can add to his year's tally with three games still to play in 2012 - in La Liga against Atletico Madrid and Valladolid and the Spanish Cup tie at Cordoba.

"It seems impossible to score so many goals, let's hope he can add to the record in the games to come," Vilanova said. "He is still young and gives us so much. Even tonight he helped us out defensively when we needed it, he has so many more qualities than just his goals."

(China Daily 12/11/2012 page24)