Madrid, Apr 24 (AFP) Argentine superstar Lionel Messi became the first player to score 50 goals in a Spanish season as Barcelona maintained their eight-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
Messi reached the landmark when he found the target three minutes from time in his team's 2-0 win over Osasuna yesterday.
He had already equalled the previous best mark of 49 goals scored by Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas when he netted in the 1-1 draw against Real last weekend.
Earlier Saturday, Real and crushed Valencia 6-3 to set the foundation for Wednesday's mouth-watering Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Barcelona.
In midweek, Barca's hopes of a treble had come to an end when Real beat them 1-0 in the King's Cup final, but coach Pep Guardiola has shrugged it off saying that the league is their main priority.