Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against APOEL Nicosia during their Champions League Group F soccer match in Nicosia November 25, 2014.??[Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi said on Tuesday that the record is fantastic after his hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-0 win away to APOEL Nicosia lifted him to 74 goals to make him the highest ever scorer in the Champions League.

"I am very happy," Messi said. "It is fantastic to achieve this record in this beautiful and important competition."

The Argentinean had started the game as the joint highest goalscorer in the history of the Champions League with 71 goals.