Messi makes Copa del Rey history for Barcelona

Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images

The captain is back after suspension

Lionel Messi made yet more history on Wednesday when he took to the pitch against Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey.

The Barcelona captain was back in the starting XI after completing a two-match suspension and made his 76th appearance in the competition.

Messi’s appearance means he overtakes Josep Samitier and becomes the player with the most Copa del Rey appearances for Barcelona.

Leo #Messi surpasses Josep Samitier on Club list of most all-time Copa del Rey appearances!

7️⃣6️⃣
Josep Samitier 7️⃣5️⃣
Andrés Iniesta 7️⃣3️⃣
Vicenç Piera 7️⃣1️⃣
Xavi 7️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/6tDTf9IUeZ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 27, 2021

The Barcelona captain has won the competition six times and one more victory would see him equal Agustín Gainza’s record of seven Copa del Rey titles for the Catalan giants.

A win for Barcelona at Rayo Vallecano would send Ronald Koeman’s men into the quarter-finals with the draw set to take place on Friday.

Source: barcablaugranes.com