The Argentine moved three goals clear of Real Madrid icon Raul after netting a hat-trick in Cyprus but he is more pleased with the Blaugrana’s improving form

Lionel Messi admitted that becoming the Champions League’s all-time leading goalscorer was “a wonderful thing” but he was more pleased to have helped Barcelona to a resounding 4-0 win over APOEL on Tuesday night.

The Argentine had gone into the Group F clash level with Real Madrid icon Raul on 71 goals but he took outright possession of the record when he deflected home a shot from Rafinha seven minutes before the break to double the Blaugrana’s advantage, with Luis Suarez having broken the deadlock with his first goal since his summer arrival from Liverpool.

Messi struck again just before the hour mark and then completed his hat-trick in the dying minutes.

It was the 27-year-old’s second history-making treble in just three days, with the diminutive forward having broken the all-time Liga goalscoring record in a 5-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday.

However, Messi insisted that he was more satisfied with Barca’s impressive form than his latest milestone.

“Achieving this record in a competition like this is a wonderful thing,” the four-time Ballon d’Or winner told reporters after the game.

“But, beyond that, it was a very important game. We were able to get the three points and that’s what really matters.

“We must continue as we are, meet the objectives of the beginning of the year and try to stay on this path.”

Barca’s win means they remain second in Group F, just a point Paris Saint-Germain, who defeated Ajax 3-1 at the Parc des Princes.

Consequently, the victors will take top spot when the two sides collide at Camp Nou next month.

“Against PSG it will be a difficult match,” Messi mused. “They have very good players who know each other and are growing.

“We are the home team and we will try to be first; that’s what we want.”

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