Messi equals Pele's long-standing record with 643rd goal for Barcelona

Lionel Messi produced a rare header during Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Valencia to register his 643rd goal for Barcelona and tie Brazilian icon Pele for the most ever scored for a single club.

Messi nodded in a cross moments after his penalty was saved to equal Pele’s long-standing record, which he set while playing for Santos from 1956 to 1974.

Pele reached the benchmark in 665 matches, while Messi needed 748.

“Like you, I know what it’s like to love wearing the same shirt every day,” Pele wrote on Instagram. “Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home. Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona. Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much, @leomessi.”

However, two years ago, the Brazilian derided Messi for having just “one skill” and not being able to head the ball well.

“To compare with Pele, it has to be someone who shoots well with the left, shoots well with the right, and scores headers,” he said in December 2018.

Messi hadn’t scored a header in La Liga in more than three years.

Pele bagged an additional 77 goals for Brazil, a record among all South Americans in international football. Messi, meanwhile, has 71 tallies for Argentina.

Now 80 years old, Pele made his debut for Santos at 15 years old. Messi made his first appearance for Barcelona at 17 in 2004.