Barca beats Bilbao for best Spanish season start

Lionel Messi scored twice on Saturday as Barcelona made the best start in the history of the Spanish league on Saturday with a 5-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao.

The leader's 13 wins and a draw in the opening 14 rounds surpasses Madrid's 12 wins and two draws to begin the 1991-92 campaign.

Messi's 11th double of the season leaves him one goal shy of Gerd Mueller's record of 85 for club and country in one year, set in 1972.

Barcelona led 3-0 by halftime thanks to goals by Gerard Pique, Messi and Adriano. Cesc Fabregas and Messi scored after halftime.

Barcelona has a 14-point lead over Madrid ahead of the defending champion's game against Atletico Madrid later. Atletico is aiming to break a 13-year winless run against its fierce rival.