Messi passes Pele's goals in 1 year as Barca wins

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -Lionel Messi surpassed Pele's milestone of goals in a calendar year by scoring for the 75th and 76th time in 2012 to move within nine of Gerd Mueller's all-time record and help Barcelona win 4-2 at Mallorca in the Spanish league on Sunday.

Xavi Hernandez got Barcelona rolling in the 28th minute before Messi struck in the 44th. Cristian Tello added a third goal a minute later.

After Mallorca scored twice, Messi made it 4-2 in the 70th as Barcelona rebounded from its loss at Celtic in the Champions League.

Pele scored 75 goals for club and country in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972.

Barcelona's 10th win in 11 rounds extended its club-record start, opening up a provisional 11-point gap over third-place Madrid ahead of its game at Levante.