The Argentina international netted a hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-0 Champions League win over Ajax on Wednesday to take his tally to 62, leaving him just nine shy of Raul's haul of 71.
"The idea of overtaking Raul at the top of the all-time Champions League scoring charts is a fine challenge," Messi was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.
"It is not essential, though. We, as a team, have other more important objectives. For example, to get as far as we are capable of in this competition. To try to win it again.
"Obviously I am pleased that my hat-trick makes it 62 Champions League goals but above that is the result and how our team played.
"Whether the right number of goals come for me this season or not is less important."
