The record that Messi is closing in on... but can't beat this season
It will come as little surprise that Lionel Messi is yet again closing in on a record, though he may have to wait a while before he can break it.
Veteran winger Joaquin's two-goal salvo for Real Betis against Deportivo on Saturday meant that the former Spain international has now scored in all 15 seasons he has played in the Spanish top flight, a record for any active player.
Those goals mean that the former Valencia star will keep his record, for now at least.
Argentine legend Messi has also scored in every season he has played in La Liga, with this season being his 14th and with Messi leading the goalscoring charts in Spain with five goals, he is unable to match Joaquin's record until next season at the earliest and even that would require the 36-year-old to not manage to find the net himself.
There is another surprising name who is not too far off the record himself, none other than Gerard Pique. The Barca defender scored for Real Zaragoza when on loan from Manchester United and has scored in every season since he returned to Barca in 2008, ammounting to 11 season in total.
Athletic Bilbao's Markel Susaeta could also challenge Joaquin's figure, with the Basque midfielder set to join Pique on 11 if he finds the net this term.
There are also a number of players who boast impressive, if not quite unblemished records, among them are: Aritz Aduriz, who has scored in 13 of 14 season of La Liga football, Sergio Garcia (10/12), Sergio Ramos (13/15) and Xabi Prieto (11/12).
However, should any of them wish to beat the al-time record there is still some work to be done, with Piru Gainza (19/19) leading the way out in front, along with Francisco Gento and Carlos Santillana (both 17/17).