Lionel Messi marks 500 LaLiga games with milestone 200th assist in Barcelona win: WATCH

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi marked his 500th LaLiga appearance with anor milestone. six-time Ballon d'Or winner notched up his 200th assist, helping Barcelona to a crucial 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Huesca on Sunday. Argentine superstar, surprisingly, wasn't able to get on scoresheet on night of his 500th game in Spanish top flight but still managed to set up midfielder Frenkie de Jong for his goal in 27th minute of game at  Estio El Alcoraz. 

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Huesca vs Barcelona: Lionel Messi makes 500th LaLiga appearance

On Sunday, when Barcelona starting line-up to face Huesca was announced, it was confirmed that Lionel Messi would be making his 500th appearance in LaLiga. star forward missed Barcelona's 1-1 draw against Eibar on Tuesday after he was given an extended break over Christmas to nurse an ankle problem. However, after having trained with squ on Saturday, Messi was included in Barcelona's starting line-up for Sunday's clash against Huesca, who are currently at bottom of LaLiga table. 

Messi's 500th LaLiga appearance for Barcelona me him first non-Spanish player to reach milestone in history of competition. He is now only five league appearances behind Xavi Hernandez, who holds record for most LaLiga appearances for Barcelona. 10-time LaLiga winner ded his 750th appearance for Barcelona in all competitions against Huesca, meaning he is only 17 shy of Xavi's record of 767 all-time for club.

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Barcelona me trip to Huesca unbeaten in five league matches, but y h drawn two of ir last three and entered game 13 points rift of leers Atletico Mrid, who benefited from a last-minute winner from Luis Suarez to beat Alaves earlier on Sunday. 

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Messi 200th assist: Barcelona forward reaches milestone double century of assists

Messi went on to make his presence felt against Huesca and it took star attacker just 27 minutes to make an impact. He picked up ball on left and provided an inch-perfect cross for Frenkie de Jong to tap home from close range. According to stats from ESPN, it was Messi's 200th assist in LaLiga for Barcelona. De Jong's goal turned out to be only one of game as Barcelona earned a crucial three points to move into fifth place in LaLiga standings. 

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Image Credits - Barcelona Twitter