The Argentinian forward scored the opener for the Catalan club in their 2-0 victory over Valencia on Saturday, helping the player reach the landmark goals figure in just 471 games.
It was Messi’s 278th goal in La Liga as he extended his record for most goals in a La Liga career, a title he took in November last year after surpassing Telmo Zarra’s benchmark who scored 251 goals during the 1940s and 50s.
Messi currently has 75 goals in the Champions League and is tied with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals in the UEFA Champions League.
His other goals have come in the Copa del Rey (32), Spanish Supercup (10), FIFA Club World Cup (4) and UEFA Supercup (1)
Messi is a serial record-breaker, apart from the aforementioned Guinness World Records titles he also holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year – in 2012 he managed an incredible 86 goals in official games for club and country.
His on field achievements have also earned him the respect of his peers, with Messi standing as the only player to win the World Player of the Year (FIFA Balon d’Or) award four times - the wins coming consecutively between 2009 and 2012.
Still just 27 years old, there remains the possibility the “Pulga” could reach the 500 goal mark along with setting even more world records before hanging up his boots.
