Bloodied Lionel Messi scores 500th goal, wins El Clásico

April 24 (UPI) -- Barcelona's Lionel Messi is arguably the best fútbol player of all time. He added a 500th goal to his lore in a win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

And boy, was it dramatic.

Praise poured in from around the world after the extra-time netter on Sunday. Futbol fans and players alike paid homage to the six-time Ballon d-Or winner with congratulatory videos and edited art on social media.

Messi took an elbow early in the match from Real's Marcelo. He continued on after spitting blood onto the pitch, in true warrior fashion.

The Brazilian wasn't ill intentioned with the foul, proven by his willingness to check on the superstar after the hit. Messi resumed play with a tissue crammed into his mouth to slow the bleeding.

Real midfielder Casemiro beat Marc-André ter Stegen in the 28th minute to get the scoring started. Five minutes later, Messi answered back. He scored goal No. 499 after taking in an Ivan Rakitic pass and dribbling through Real defenders. He finished the left footer just past Keylor Navas.

The goal was Messi's first in six El Clasico matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in the 66th minute when a cross from Asensio went behind his back. He finished the offering over the crossbar.

Rakitic gave Barca a 2-1 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining in the match when he shot a rocket by Navas. Sergio Ramos earned a red card after a poor challenge on Messi, giving Barca a man advantage. The reprimand enraged Real supporters filling the 81,000-seat stadium.

Colombia's James Rodriguez tied the score at 85 minutes after receiving a Marcelo cross.

But Messi returned for vengeance in the final seconds. He finished Jordi Alba's cross two minutes into stoppage time by bending it just inside the near post.

The Argentine ripped off his famous No. 10 jersey as Real sat dejected on the home pitch. He earned a yellow card for the celebration.

Barca now tops Spanish Primera Division standings with 75 points. Real also has 87 points. Neymar did not play in El Clasico due to his three game suspension.

The sides tied their last match 1-1 in December. Before that, the series was tied 2-2 in its previous four matches.

Real battles Deportivo at 3:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Riazor in A Coruña, Spain. Barca hosts Osasuna at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Camp Nou.