Lionel Messi shares embrace with pitch invader (PHOTO)

It seems like we're always repeating ourselves, but what a night for Lionel Messi.

The Argentine footballer scored twice -- the eighth (!) consecutive start he's done so -- and extended his world record to 90 goals in one calendar year. His effort helped Barcelona to a 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid, its nearest competitor in La Liga.

But the lasting image from the contest had nothing to do with the game. Instead, it is this photo of a pitch invader who got onto the field at Camp Nou just to embrace the greatest soccer player with whom we share this earth.

Here's another look:

It's never a good time or idea for fans to enter the field of play, but there is something really serene and surreal about this photo. He just wants a hug. And Messi hugged him, too.

At any rate, I'm reminded of this great read from Sports on Earth's Chuck Culpepper about the joy of seeing Messi:

"Leo," said teammate Gerard Piqué, "is supernatural." You know the best thing about the accounts of his record-breaking match on Sunday in Seville? The best thing was this numeral that jumped out: "25." Sometimes, an athlete's age can get lost in the deluge when he starts young and gets going, so you might stop to wonder about Messi being perhaps 26 or, please no, 27.

Twenty-five. Thank goodness it's only that.