Lionel Messi set a La Liga record on Saturday when he hit the framework shortly before half-time in Barcelona’s victory against Eibar.
Messi’s left-footed attempt from the left side of the box hit the right post in the 37th minute of the 2-0 win.
According to Opta, that marked the 14th time Messi has hit a post or the crossbar — the most of any player in one La Liga season since records became available starting in 2003-04.
14 – Lionel Messi has hit woodwork 14 times in La Liga this season, more than any other player in a whole season of this competition (at least 2003/2004). Wood pic.twitter.com/V5OviUDdfu
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 17, 2018
Although the shot was the first of four taken on the afternoon by Messi, who has 20 goals in 24 league appearances, he failed to score and extended his goalless run to five games in all competitions — his second such run of the season.
It was the first time he failed to score in seven appearances against Eibar in all competitions, and the run without a goal comes just before Barcelona head to London for a Champions League round-of-32 game against Chelsea, who Messi has never scored against in eight appearances.
Luis Suarez scored his 20th goal of the campaign in all competitions and Jordi Alba found the back of the net for Barcelona, who extended their unbeaten run to start their La Liga season to 24 games.
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