Lionel Messi’s sublime chip capped a four-goal performance as the three-time Ballon d’Or winner moved past the 40-goal mark for a third straight season in mesmerising fashion to lead Barcelona’s 5-1 thrashing of Valencia on Sunday in the Spanish league.
Barcelona had to come from behind to stay within 10 points of Real Madrid, easily answering the leaders’ 4-0 rout of Racing Santander one night earlier with a pure display of the football that has crowned them the world’s best team.
The undoubted star was Messi, who chipped goalkeeper Diego Alves after being put through by Sergio Busquets for his 27th league goal, 42nd in all competitions and 146th for Barcelona – and in his 200th appearance for the club.
“The team played an incredible game. Some days you play well and some days you play poorly but what is important is the team wins,” said Messi, whose only other four-goal performance was against Arsenal in the Champions League almost two years ago.
Valencia had the early momentum, however, thanks to a ninth-minute goal.
Goalkeeper Victor Valdes wouldn’t be called into action again until midway through the second half to deny Feghouli as the visitors played without Ever Banega, who needed surgery for a fractured left ankle earlier on Sunday after his car reportedly ran over his leg.
Messi’s first goal was memorable, collecting a loose ball inside the area and dribbling near to the goal line, patiently waiting for Alves to commit before sliding it under the goalkeeper in the 22nd minute.
Messi had a chance blocked in the 26th before scoring a minute later, the Argentine captain jumping on the rebound to poke the ball into the roof of the net after Alves had initially saved his first shot.
Barcelona then simply overwhelmed Valencia, with Cesc Fabregas often coming close, including a spectacular 40th-minute swerving volley that struck the crossbar.
Alves was Valencia’s standout player, stopping at least a dozen shots, including from substitute Cristian Tello. The rebound, however, allowed Messi to power home a left-footed shot in the 76th to ensure his fifth hat-trick of the season, matching Romario’s feat for the club during the 1993-94 season.
Messi then moved within one goal of Cristiano Ronaldo’s league-leading total of 28 with his fourth.
“How many teams have won things and then fallen apart the next season, and the next?” asked Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who has had to fend continuous questions over his future as he takes his time on deciding on a contract extension. “Not these players.”
Earlier, Athletic Bilbao scored three goals in four second-half minutes to beat Malaga 3-0, while Levante lost 5-3 to Rayo Vallecano.
Espanyol and Athletic share fourth and the last Champions League qualifying spot behind Valencia, with Atletico Madrid and Levante a further point back. New Sporting Gijon coach Javier Clemente began with a 1-1 draw against Atletico, who remain unbeaten under coach Diego Simeone.
Also on Sunday, Granada rallied to beat 10-man Real Sociedad 4-1 and Mallorca downed Villarreal 4-0.
On Monday, last-placed Zaragoza play Real Betis.
