Messi set for 600th Barca appearance

London : Lionel Messi will make his 600th official appearance for FC Barcelona when they host Sevilla at the Camp Nou Stadium today.

Only Xavi Hernandez (767) and Andres Iniesta (642) have played more games for Barca than the 30-year-old who made his debut on October 16, 2004. 

And nobody has got close to the 523 goals he has scored for the club, who currently lead the Liga Santander with a four point gap over Valencia, reports Xinhua news agency.

As many as 23 of those goals have come against Sevilla in 21 league games against the side from the south of Spain. With the form Messi is in, it would almost be a surprise if he didn’t add to that total today night.

It is fair to say that Barca have not been at their best at times this season, as shown by their 0-0 draw away to Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday or the slightly fortunate 2-0 win away to Athletic Club Bilbao last weekend.

Messi and goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen were the architects of last weekend’s win with Messi opening the scoring and Ter Stegen frustrating all of their rival’s efforts.

Meanwhile, Barca are still without the injured Dembele while Luis Suarez is struggling for form in front of goal, limiting Barca coach Ernesto Valverde’s options in attack, given that he appears to have little faith in former Valencia forward Paco Alcacer.

Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic will play in midfield.