Messi surpassed 300 goals in La Liga.

The Argentine hit another milestone in La Liga on Wednesday night as he hit a double against Sporting Gijon but scoring is only one facet of the 28-year-old's astonishing armoury

Another match, another milestone for Lionel Messi. Fresh from setting up Luis Suarez from the penalty spot amid a masterclass against Celta Vigo on Sunday, the Argentine forward surpassed 300 goals in La Liga on Wednesday. And the goals are just the tip of the iceberg for the world's finest footballer.

Messi's magical story at Barcelona began back in 2005 when he netted against Albacete in La Liga with a lovely lob after he was set up by Ronaldinho. The brilliant Brazilian was the idol at Camp Nou back then and Leo the new kid on the block.

"One day," Ronaldinho said, "he will be the best player in the world" - and, a couple of seasons later, he handed over the baton to the youngster whom he had mentored in those early years.

Now, just over a decade on, Messi has added 300 goals to that maiden strike in La Liga and heads the scoring charts in the Primera Division. Already 50 clear of Athletic Club legend and long-time record holder Telmo Zarra, he is also 55 clear of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. And the Portuguese, now 31, is unlikely to catch 28-year-old Leo.

"It's a privilege to be able to have Leo, whatever the situation of the match," Luis Enrique said afterwards of his finest footballer.

And Messi, who on Sunday had turned down the chance of scoring his 300th league goal by passing to his right from the spot for Suarez to score instead, passed up the opportunity of completing his hat-trick in this one as he let the Uruguayan take the kick after Barca won another penalty at El Molinon.

The Uruguayan missed this one but scored a stunning strike of his own later in the game when he curled in off the post with an angled drive.

Earlier, though, Messi had brought up his 300th Primera Division goal for Barca when he hit a low drive into the corner from outside the area, adding the 301st just five minutes later following a combination with Suarez.

"Messi's first goal was one of those that only he can see," Barca's economic vice-president, Susana Monje, told Canal Plus after the match.

And like that, there have been many, many more. Pep Guardiola used to say that it was impossible to describe Messi because "you have to watch him" and because "we are running out of adjectives" to laud his fantastic forward play.

That may be the case but the Argentine looks set to keep on claiming the plaudits, the honours and the milestones for many more years to come - along with trophies to add to the 26 that he already has at Barcelona.

And there will be plenty more goals as well. That's 301 now in La Liga and 439 for Barcelona, with 27 in all competitions for the Catalan club in 2015-16 - and that despite spending almost two months on the sidelines. It's incredibly impressive but, even without the goals, there is so much more to enjoy in his game - and hopefully for many more years yet.