Lionel Messi equals Raul's Champions League record of 71 goals during Barcelona's 2-0 win over Ajax

Argentina captain Lionel Messi equalled Raul's all-time Champions League record of 71 goals after he scored twice in Barcelona's 2-0 win against Ajax.

Barca forward Messi scored in the 36th minute with a soft header after Ajax failed to clear a free kick. 

His 71st goal in the competition came after he linked with substitute Pedro in the 76th minute as Barca qualified for the last 16.

Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Porto join Barca in the next round.

Messi has now surpassed Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 70, in the list of Champions League top scorers as reported by BBC.

Barca football team manager Luis Enrique said that Messi is without doubt the best player he has seen as a player and a coach.

While it took Raul 142 Champions League outings to score his 71 goals, Messi's appearance against Ajax was his 90th in the competition, while Ronaldo, who started and ended Real's 1-0 win against Liverpool on Tuesday on 70 goals, has featured in the tournament 107 times, the report added.