The 78th minute of the game between Barça and Sevilla at Camp Nou and Barça were 3-0 up thanks to goals from Luis Suárez, Arturo Vidal and Dembélé. Leo Messi took charge at a free kick and decided it was time to open his league account for the season.
The shot from outside the box floated over the wall and into the top corner to record his 37th goal against the Andalusian club in 38 matches. It appears that Sevilla brings out the best in the Barça number 10 as he has scored more goals against them than any other club.
A century from outside the box
The strike from Messi made it 4-0 and the victory over Sevilla means Barça can go into the international break on a high note with four consecutive victories. The Argentine's goal also meant he reached another personal landmark, 100 goals from outside the area, 43 of them free kicks.
Of those 100 from outside the box, 13 have come against Sevilla, eight against Espanyol and six each against Athletic Club and Atlético Madrid.
If we boil it down to competitions, 71 have come in La Liga, 18 in the Champions League, eight in the Copa del Rey, two in the Spanish Super Cup and one in the Spanish Super Cup.
16th season in a row finding the net
Leo Messi opened his account for the 2019/20 against Sevilla after missing various game due to injury and featuring for part of the games against Villarreal, Granada and Borussia Dortmund. Back to full fitness, the number 10 was in the starting XI against Inter on Wednesday in the Champions League and again on Sunday against Sevilla. 16 seasons in a row since his debut in 2004 finding the net for the legendary striker. Let's hope there are more to come.
Source: FC Barcelona