Gerard Pique announces retirement from football, final game Barcelona Vs Almeria on Saturday

Messi, who helped Barcelona win 3-0 at Valladolid, had equaled Pele's all-time scoring tally on Saturday. His 643rd career goal for Barcelona since his 2004 debut matched Pele's tally for Santos from 1957-74.

For his 644th _ Barcelona's third of the night _ Messi had help from 18-year-old Pedro ``Pedri'' Gonzalez.

After receiving the ball near the edge of the area, Pedri deftly rolled his boot over the ball to push it behind him to meet the Argentine's run. The slick pass left Messi clear to finally beat goalie Jordi Masip, who had denied with twice.

``When I began playing, I never thought I would break any record, much less the one I have surpassed today that belonged to Pele,'' Messi wrote on Instagram. ``I only want to give my thanks to all those who have helped me all these years, my teammates, my family, my friends and those who support me every day.''

In a meeting between the front-runner and the sensation of the league this season, Atletico put on another dominant performance to show why it is the early title favorite.

Atletico was without Joao Felix due to a throat infection. It made up for the absence of its most dynamic forward by applying a suffocating defense to nullify Sociedad's normally fluid attack.

Sociedad had David Silva back after he recovered from a muscle injury that had sidelined him for three consecutive matches.