Messi Hat-trick Deflates Celta Vigo Sends Barca Top Of La Liga

Messi is the best free-kick taker in the world and scored two unstoppable efforts against Celta Vigo, along with a penalty to send Barcelona back to the top of La Liga.

Lionel Messi’s hat-trick was the difference between them and strugglers Celta Vigo.

32-year-old scored a hat-trick of set-piece goals in Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday in La Liga an art he has steadily perfected.

A 34th treble for Barcelona in La Liga puts Messi equal with Cristiano Ronaldo, while a much-needed win sent Barca to the league summit above Real Madrid on goal difference.

Messi’s hat-trick took his tally to nine goals in seven games, 612 in total for his club.

When teams concede free kicks on the edge of their own box they feel almost as dangerous as penalties with Messi standing over them.

That, Barcelona are top has a lot more to do with Messi than with the way the rest of the team are performing.

Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona are flawed and this win was one of which exhibited extreme dependence on Messi.

“It is impossible not to depend on Messi, he illuminates everything. We depend on him like any team would depend on him. He unlocked the game.” said Valverde.

By Gerald Dandah