Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has equalled Gerd Muller's record of scoring 525 goals for a single club across all competitions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner brought up the landmark in the 83rd minute of his side's 2-0 win over Villarreal this evening, doubling Barcelona's lead as they restored their five-point advantage at the top of the table.

Messi has now found the back of the net 525 times in 606 appearances for Barca across all competitions, drawing level with Muller's record from his 14-year Bayern Munich career, which ended in 1979.

Muller, who is regarded as one of the game's greatest ever goalscorers and penalty-box predators, reached his tally in just 572 games, including a top-scoring season of 67 goals in 49 appearances during the 1972-73 campaign.

Messi's best season came in 2011-12 when he netted 73 times in 60 outings, while so far this term he has scored 18 goals in 23 appearances to continue breaking records.

No players has ever scored more goals for a single club amongst the top European leagues, and Messi will now look to set his own mark when Barca return to action against Deportivo La Coruna next weekend.