Messi thrilled to be closing in on Kubala

Messi's superb treble against Atletico Madrid, the 24-year-old's 11th career hat-trick, put him on 192 goals, two behind Hungarian Kubala, who played for Barca in the 1950s and early 1960s. Cesar Rodriguez is the club's record marksman with 235.

"I just take it a game at a time but obviously I'm very excited," World Player of the Year Messi told Barca TV on Sunday.

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