Messi scores his 80th goal of 2012
Lionel Messi continued his incredible year by moving ever closer to Gerd Muller's record goal total by firing Barcelona into the next round of the Champions League, according to CNN.
The Argentina star scored twice to take his 2012 tally to 80 as Barca recorded a 3-0 win at Spartak Moscow.
Muller scored 85 goals in 60 matches for Bayern Munich and Germany back in 1972 but his record is under increasing threat.
Barca has six matches left before the turn of the year with Messi requiring six goals to surpass Muller and break yet another record.
"My aim was just to get the ball, create chances and that we win the game, that is what is important," Messi told reporters.
"We knew we couldn't afford to make mistakes after what happened against Celtic and that we had to go out strongly even though it is difficult to play away in this competition."