Fantastic to be highest scorer’

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has said his record of becoming the highest scorer ever in the UEFA Champions League is a ‘fantastic’ achievement. Messi struck a hat-trick in Barcelona’s 4-0 away win against APOEL Nicosia that lifted him to 74 goals, ahead of former Real Madrid star Raul Gonzalez (71) and current Real striker Cristiano Ronaldo (70) to make him the highest ever scorer in the continental tournament. ‘I am very happy. It is fantastic to achieve this record in this beautiful and important competition,’ Messi said Tuesday, reports Xinhua.