Lionel Messi scores in 18 straight league games

Lionel Messi made it 18 straight La Liga games with a goal by scoring against Rayo Vallecano this evening.

The FIFA Ballon d'Or winner made it 2-0 to Barcelona minutes before the break after David Villa had put the league leaders ahead at Camp Nou.

Messi has scored 28 times in the 18-game streak and has now equalled Pahino on the all-time La Liga scorers' list with 210 goals.

The stretch dates back to early November. The last game Messi did not score in was against Celta Vigo - Barca's next opponents.