Messi 32nd hat trick, passing Zarra to become the all-time leader in trifectas

The goal gives #Messi his 32nd hat trick, passing Zarra to become the all-time leader in trifectas. #FCBlive

Lionel Messi scored three times Sunday, getting the 24th hat trick of his legendary career as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 6-1 and moved one point ahead ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga standings. The hat trick breaks La Liga and Barcelona records, moving Messi past Cristiano Ronaldo.

ALL-TIME HAT TRICK RECORD FOR SPANISH CLUB. No other Spanish club player ever made 32 hat tricks. Messi now has 24 in league games, five in the Champions League, two in the Spanish Cup and one in the Spanish Supercup. He leaves Telmo Zarra (31), Alfredo Di Stéfano (28) and Cristiano Ronaldo (27) behind him.

ALL-TIME HAT TRICK RECORD IN LEAGUE GAMES. Messi’s 24 in La Liga pass Ronaldo’s 23. Di Stéfano and Zarra – each with 22 – and Mundo, with 19, are way back.

LEAGUE SCORING LEADER FOR 2014/15 SEASON. Leo’s trifecta versus Rayo give him 30 league goals this season, and tie him with Ronaldo, who had led all season until today.

SIXTH STRAIGHT SEASON WITH OVER 40 GOALS. It’s an incredible streak. Messi now has 41 goals in 38 games, the same number he had all of last season in 46 games.