Lionel Messi has scored the 700th goal of his career with a Panenka penalty in Barcelona’s La Liga draw with Atletico Madrid.

The genius Spanish giants’ all-time top scorer Lionel Messi, hit the landmark goal for club and country by gently chipping the ball into the net as Jan Oblak dived the wrong way.

The goal had put Barcelona 2-1 up but Atletico hit back to draw 2-2. Barca remain second, one point behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.

The Argentina star played a part in the opener for Barcelona when his whipped corner hit Diego Costa and deflected into the back of the net.

Lionel Messi restored Barcelona’s lead and reached his career milestone with his cheeky Panenka – named after Antonin Panenka’s famous penalty for Czechoslovakia in the final of the 1976 European Championship – but Niguez equalised again with another penalty as Barca dropped points which could cost them dear in the title race.

It is Another year, another milestone for Messi. Lionel Messi has scored the 700th goal of his career – coming just over 14 months after netting for the 600th time for Barcelona – means he joins a select group.

Quick facts about Lionel Messi’s scoring history
According to data from Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation, Messi is now one of seven players to have reached the 700-goal mark in their career.

The majority of his goals have come from his left foot – 582 of them – with 92 coming courtesy of his right.

Not the biggest of players, nor one who has operated in a side reliant on crosses into the box, only 24 of his 700 goals have come from a header.

Clinical from a dead ball, Messi has also scored 52 direct free-kicks and 90 penalties.

Most come from efforts inside the box (580), with 120 from outside the penalty area.


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