Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Madrid, Lionel Messi scored on his 500th Barcelona appearance as the European champions moved back to the top of the table with a 4-0 win over Real Betis as La Liga returned from a curtailed winter break.
Atletico Madrid remain level on points with Barca thanks to two goals in the final two minutes from Angel Correa and Antoine Griezmann to emerge 2-0 victors at Rayo Vallecano.
And Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and missed a penalty as Real Madrid eased the pressure on under-fire coach Rafael Benitez with a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad to stay two points behind the leaders.
Barca want more trophies in 2016: Messi
Four-time World Player of the Year Messi has warned Barca’s rivals that the European champions are determined to match their five-trophy haul from 2015 in the coming year.
And having won the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup in the past 12 months, Barca also set a new record of 180 goals in a calendar year.
“It has been a spectacular year and we wanted to finish it this way,” said Messi. “It will be difficult to improve on what we have done, but we always try. We have a great squad that are desperate to continue winning.”
And Barca boss Luis Enrique echoed the sentiments of his star player as he focused on starting the new year with victory away to Espanyol in the Barcelona derby on Saturday.
“Firstly, I have to congratulate the players and the fans that get to enjoy this unique team,” he said of Barca’s achievements in his first full year in charge.
“The objective is to win again, to win the first game in 2016 and again be challenging to win titles throughout the season for this team, the fans and the club. We prepare for the new year with plenty of desire and excitement for the big games to arrive as quickly as possible. We need to try to maintain the same level as 2015.”
