Messi equals Ronaldo on season’s goals scored

THE Argentine struck a hat-trick in Barcelona’s destruction of Rayo Vallecano Sunday and now has the same number of goals as his great rival.

  Lionel Messi’s hat-trick for Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano has seen him move level with Cristiano Ronaldo on 30 goals in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

  The Argentine struck in the 56th, 63rd and 68th minutes – the second of these from a re-taken penalty – as Barca thrashed Rayo 6-1 at Camp Nou.

  The victory saw Barcelona move to the top of La Liga, but also allowed Messi to go level with Ronaldo on goals scored in La Liga.

  Messi now has 30 league strikes for the season (41 in all competitions) – 15 of which have arrived in 2015 alone.

  Ronaldo is the current joint-holder of the European Golden Shoe, together with Luis Suarez – who also struck twice for Barcelona on Sunday.

  The Portuguese has been Europe’s top-scorer on three occasions, the same number as Messi.