Madrid, Nov 26 (IANS): Striker Lionel Messi has made footballing history for the second time in four days, courtesy his hat-trick in FC Barcelona's 4-0 away win against APOEL Nicosia in a UEFA Champions League match.

His hat-trick Tuesday lifted him to 74 goals, making him the highest scorer in the competition so far.

The Argentinean had started the game as the joint highest goalscorer in the history of the Champions League with 71 goals, the same as former Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez, and one more than current Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo, reports Xinhua.

Messi's European record comes after his hat-trick Saturday that saw him overtake former Spanish striker Telmo Zarra's feat of 251 goals to become the highest scorer in the Spanish La Liga.

Messi has now scored 253 goals in the Spanish League and will look to adding to that tally when his side play Valencia this coming weekend.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo has a chance to catch up with Messi's record Wednesday in his team's away game against Basel.