Nicolas Zigic scored a penalty in the 56th minute to give Santander the lead at the El Sardinero stadium, but the Argentina winger scored from his first touch in the 65th, slotting in a loose ball at the near post.

Messi then chested a looping ball forward into the right side of the area before volleying a right-footed shot across goal and beyond goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez for an 81st-minute winner that stretched Barcelona's unbeaten run in the league to 20 games.

Barcelona leads with 56 points from 21 games, Real Madrid is second with 44 and Sevilla has 38.

Raul Gonzalez joined Alfredo di Stefano as Madrid's all-time leading scorer when he struck the winner for the Spanish champion in a 2-0 victory at Numancia on Saturday.

Coach Javier Aguirre's job could be on the line after Atletico remained winless in 2009 after a 2-1 loss to Valladolid.

In Sunday's other games, it was: Espanyol 1, Recreativo Huelva 1; Real Betis 2, Getafe 2; Deportivo La Coruna 3, Villarreal 0; and Osasuna 1, Mallorca 0.

Sevilla played at Sporting Gijon and fourth place Valencia faced Almeria in Sunday's late games.

Barcelona's midfield controlled the game but failed to turn its possession into opportunities within the goal area, as Messi watched on from the bench.

Center back Rafael Marquez returned from injury to replace Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, who is out with a muscle strain.

Racing's physical play kept Barcelona at bay with Sergio Busquets manhandled at the edge of the area in the 45th to deny a Barcelona break.

Santander broke through first from the penalty spot after Marquez was booked for taking down Jonathan Pereiro inside the area. Zigic scoring the penalty for his fourth goal in as many games since joining from Valencia.

Messi entered for Busquets in the 60th just after the Catalans were lucky not to lose Daniel Alves, who forced Toni Moral from the game with an ankle-high challenge. The Brazil back wasn't booked.

Xavi Hernandez headed Thierry Henry's cross off the bar and Messi was there to slot in the rebound with his first touch.

Messi then sealed Barcelona's ninth straight win with his 16th goal of the season - second highest in the league behind teammate Samuel Eto'o.

Barcelona finished with nine after Marquez picked up a second booking in the 88th, while Gerard Pique was sent off in injury-time for a second yellow.

Athletic Bilbao twice rallied from one-goal deficits to beat Malaga 3-2 on Saturday.