We all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of finding out when.
Things were getting a bit complicated for PSG during their trip to face Maccabi Haifa, but minutes before the halftime break, Lionel Messi stepped up to help Les Parisiens tie the game while adding a couple more records to his resume.
The Argentine superstar put to good use a loose ball inside Maccabi Haifa's box to find the back of the net, following a cross by Kylian Mbappé. The player's left-footed strike made its way to Maccabi's goal to kick off all celebrations for the Ligue 1 giants.
Have a look at Messi's first UCL goal of the season (Image might be geo-restricted).
Mbappe with the dance moves, Lionel Messi with the finish, his 126th #UCL goal.
— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 14, 2022
PSG level it up. pic.twitter.com/nW7iQdMSwi
Messi's first goal in the UEFA Champions League helped the man reach two more goalscoring records in the premier club competition in the world.The first one has to do with the number of teams he has punished during his impressive career, breaking a tie he had with none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.
39 - Lionel Messi has become the first player to find the net against 39 different teams in UEFA Champions League, more than any other player in the competition (38 for Cristiano Ronaldo). Globetrotter. #MACPSG #UEFAChampionsLeague2022 pic.twitter.com/fJQCVPtKqo
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 14, 2022
The other record accomplished by Messi has to do with his consistency throughout his illustrious career.
18 consecutive seasons scoring in the Champions League for Leo Messi pic.twitter.com/cLnDBNvywz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 14, 2022
To top it all, Messi got closer to the top spot in the goalscoring department by netting his 126th goal in the UEFA Champions League.