Leo Messi has blasted records out of sight left, right and centre throughout his career, but there is one that not even he has come close to.

On 10 February 1952, László Kubala scored a quite staggering SEVEN goals in a 9-0 defeat of Sporting Gijón, It matched the Liga record set by Bata of Athletic Club against Barça in 1931, and has never been touched since.

The incredible thing is that the Hungarian striker, only recently recovered from injury, was criticised for not being at his best!

The Vida Deportiva newspaper had the audacity to say “Kubala is clearly not fully fit. More than once he was reluctant to challenge for the ball and often pulled back into midfield when he was needed in the forward line.”

'Not a great game'

Barça fans and media alike have often been accused of setting their expectations too high. Indeed, it sometimes feels like unless Messi scores a hat-trick and gives two assists every game, there will always be people saying he’s lost his form.

It’s nothing new – but to score seven goals and be accused of not pulling your weight?

But Barça boss Ferdinand Daučik seemed to agree with that assessment. “Kubala scored goals today, but he didn’t have a great game” he said. “He’s going to need to work to get better.”

At least Sporting striker Aretio, who had previously played for Barça, was able to appreciate the genius at work, saying after the game that “Kubala is a wonderful player like none other in football. And there will never be another one like him.”

Well, he obviously knew nothing about Messi.

But seven goals? That great by anyone’s standards … apart those of Vida Deportiva and Daučik…