"I've said it a lot, it's nice to beat records but the win for the team is what is important and the points difference at the top," said Messi as Barcelona maintained their six-point lead over Atletico Madrid and 11-point gap on Real Madrid.

"My goals are to win titles with the team, the Spanish league, Spanish Cup or Champions League are more important than any personal records."

It did not take long for Messi to equal Mueller's record with his side's first real attack on 16 minutes in Seville, making a diagonal run across the Betis defence before hitting a left-footed shot into the right-hand corner.

His history-making moment came nine minutes later when he struck from almost an identical position after good play from Adriano and Andres Iniesta.

"My objective at the start of the season was to win another La Liga title," added Messi, who is also in line to win a record fourth successive Ballon d'Or.

Barca coach Tito Vilanova looked forward to more from Messi, who now has 74 goals in all competitions for Barcelona this year as well as 12 for Argentina, having played 66 games in all.

His La Liga tally is already up to 23 for this season alone and he can add to his year's tally with three games still to play in 2012 - in La Liga against Atletico Madrid and Valladolid and the Spanish Cup tie at Cordoba. "It seems impossible to score so many goals. Let's hope he can add to the record in the games to come," said Vilanova.

"He is still young and gives us so much. Even tonight, he helped us out defensively when we needed it. He has so many more qualities than just his goals."

Vilanova was quick, however, to dampen the euphoria surrounding his star player. "We shouldn't heap more pressure on him. His record this year is absolutely brutal. Let's enjoy the moment and not focus on how many goals he might score in the future," added the coach.

Barca's sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, was happy to sing Messi's praises. "I think his records will be valued more in the future. It's one more for now but he makes it all seem so easy that it's hard to measure his talent," said Zubizarreta.

"It's a gift to see him play football, but I think he'll say the same - it's a team game and he needs his teammates to help him."

And the man whose record Messi beat, Gerd Mueller, was also pleased.

"My record has stood for 40 years - 85 goals in 60 matches," he said. "Now the world's best player, Lionel Messi, has broken it and I am happy for him."

He said Messi was "a nice and modest professional".

"I hope he gets one or two more goals in 2012 and that he can then hold onto the record for the next 40 years," Mueller said.