Barcelona forward Lionel Messi became the highest scorer in El Clasico history with his hat-trick on Sunday.

The Argentina international scored three times at the Santiago Bernabeu to help his side to a 4-3 win against Real Madrid in La Liga.

The 26-year-old's first goal of the match in the 42nd minute saw him take his tally in Clasicos to 19, one more than Madrid legend and compatriot Alfredo di Stefano.

Messi scored two more times in the second half to increase his total Clasico goals to 21 in 27 matches.

The win saw Barcelona close the gap on joint-leaders Madrid to one point.