Messi equals Raul's European Champions League goals record

The race is almost over - and Lionel Messi is set to win it.

It is another landmark in the career of Lionel Messi one of football's greatest ever players.

Two goals in the colors of Barcelona took Lionel Messi to 71 in the European Champions League -- level with the all-time record holder Raul.

The Argentina striker grabbed both goals as the Spanish giants beat Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam, and now needs just one more to go clear of the legendary Spain striker Raul.

Messi is already Barca's all-time leading scorer and a four-time Ballon d'Or winner at the age of 27.

Messi, who is on the verge of breaking Telmo Zarra's record for goals in La Liga, netted once in each half to make it 71 Champions League strikes on Wednesday and eclipse Ronaldo, who failed to convert in Madrid's 1-0 win at home to Liverpool the previous night.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ronaldo had picked up his Golden Shoe for finishing - level with Luis Suarez - as Europe's top goalscorer in league football in 2013-14 and announced: "I want to be remembered as the best player ever."

Ronaldo also hinted he would beat his rival to Raul's record when he said after scoring in his side's 3-0 victory at Anfield last month: "I'm not worried about that. I know I'm going to break the record. Messi is very close too."