Messi nets his 50th goal of the season for Barcelona at Racing Santander on Sunday

The Argentina international's second goal in the Liga match versus Racing Santander marked a half-century of goals in all competitions



The 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or winner gave the Catalans the lead in the 29th minute after being set up by Cesc Fabregas, before doubling his personal tally after the break from the penalty spot with his landmark 50th goal of the 2011-12 campaign.



Messi has so far netted 30 goals in La Liga, 12 strikes in the Champions League, two in the Copa del Rey, three in the Spanish Supercopa and two in the Club World Cup, as well as one goal in the Uefa Super Cup.



The Argentine attacker, who also has five more for his country this term, needed a total of 43 games to net his 50 goals in six different club competitions.



Messi is now 10 goals ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in all competitions, but the Portuguese has played five games fewer than the Barca forward in 2011-12 and has netted twice more than the Argentine in La Liga.



Both players scored 53 times in all competitions in 2010-11.

Lionel Messi netted his 50th goal of the season for Barcelona in the Primera Division match away to Racing Santander on Sunday evening.The 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or winner gave the Catalans the lead in the 29th minute after being set up by Cesc Fabregas, before doubling his personal tally after the break from the penalty spot with his landmark 50th goal of the 2011-12 campaign.Messi has so far netted 30 goals in La Liga, 12 strikes in the Champions League, two in the Copa del Rey, three in the Spanish Supercopa and two in the Club World Cup, as well as one goal in the Uefa Super Cup.The Argentine attacker, who also has five more for his country this term, needed a total of 43 games to net his 50 goals in six different club competitions.Messi is now 10 goals ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in all competitions, but the Portuguese has played five games fewer than the Barca forward in 2011-12 and has netted twice more than the Argentine in La Liga.Both players scored 53 times in all competitions in 2010-11.