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Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores 300th La Liga goal against Sporting Gijon

Lionel Messi scored his 300th La Liga goal for Barcelona against Sporting Gijon on Wednesday night.

Messi, 28, netted his first La Liga goal almost 11 years ago and has gone on to hit 299 more in 335 appearances.

Messi cut onto his left foot just outside the box and curled a shot into the bottom corner through a forest of defenders' legs in the 25th minute.

Although Gijon levelled almost immediately, Messi scored his 301st goal in the 31st minute to put Barca back in front.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner turned down the chance to reach his 300 milestone in the 6-1 win over Celta Vigo from the penalty spot when he passed to Luis Suarez to score instead.

Barcelona have not lost in a club-record 30 matches and have a three-point lead at the top of the Spanish table, with a game in hand over second-place Atletico Madrid.