( CNN ) -- Barcelona put on a sumptuous display against Rayo Vallecano and it was no surprise that Lionel Messi led the way , rewriting the record books in the process . The four-time world player of the year scored two goals to give him 228 overall in the Spanish league , passing Alfredo di Stefano 's mark and placing the Argentine into a tie for third with a man who , like di Stefano , made a name for himself at Real Madrid , Raul . Barring a serious injury and change of leagues , Messi -- who did miss two months this season with a leg complaint -- is sure to take over top spot from Telmo Zarra . The latter scored 251 goals , 17 more than Hugo Sanchez . `` I 'd like to think that Messi still has a bit to go before he 's 100 percent fit , '' Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino told the club website . `` If he wants , he 'll break any record he sets his mind to . `` He 's only 26 years old and he 'll lose count ( of the records he breaks ) . Barca enjoy him and Argentina does as well . '' Barcelona 's awesome display against Vallecano prompted the Catalan club 's website to use the word 'caviar ' in describing the affair and the free-flowing football on offer served as a warning for Manchester City , which collides with Barca next week in the Champions League . Messi 's goals came in the 38th and 68th minutes at the Camp Nou , with Adriano , Pedro , Alexis Sanchez and the returning Neymar chipping in with the others . Neymar , the Brazilian whiz , had missed about three weeks with an ankle injury . `` This month has been long , '' Neymar told reporters . `` I was very eager to play . '' Despite the ruthless performance , Barcelona ca n't gain a significant lead over Atletico Madrid . Madrid earlier Saturday blanked Real Valladolid 3-0 at home , realistically claiming all three points with two goals in the first four minutes . It was relief for Atletico , which had lost three straight games in all competitions . `` It was convenient , fast and what I like is the intensity with which the team went out with , '' Atletico manager Diego Simeone told the club website . Barcelona and Atletico each have 60 points , and Real Madrid can join them by winning at Getafe on Sunday .
Lionel Messi becomes the third leading scorer in the Spanish league . He nets twice in Barcelona 's 6 - 0 rout over rivals Vallecano at home . Atletico Madrid won earlier , to temporarily go top in La Liga . Real Madrid can join Barcelona and Barcelona on 60 points Sunday with a win .