Ballon d’Or-elect Lionel Messi delivers a masterclass to put Barcelona back on top
Argentine warms up for an anticipated fifth World Player of the Year crown with a first hat-trick of the season in the 4-0 win over Granada
Lionel Messi warmed up for his anticipated fifth World Player of the Year crown by scoring his first hat-trick of the season to move Barcelona back to the top of La Liga by cruising past Granada 4-0 on Saturday.
It is evident there is the collective objective that attracts him, motivates him and continues to motivate him year after year
Messi effectively ended the contest within the first 15 minutes with two easy finishes before completing his hat-trick after the break to take his tally to 12 goals in 10 games since returning from knee ligament damage in November, while Neymar completed the rout late on.
The European champions lead Atletico Madrid, who travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday, by a point and are now five clear of Real Madrid.
READ > He’s back – Lionel Messi starts first game since injury and immediately bags two goals in Barca thrashing
Messi is expected to beat off teammate Neymar and current holder Cristiano Ronaldo to the Ballon d’Or on Monday after leading Barca to a second treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey in six years last season.
And despite the fine form of Neymar and Luis Suarez in his two-month absence, Messi again demonstrated he is Barca’s main man as Luis Enrique’s men bounced back from drawing three of their last four La Liga games.
“He is a unique and unrepeatable player,” said Enrique, who won’t attend Monday’s ceremony in Zurich despite being nominated himself for coach of the year.
“Then there is the particular individual objective these type of players have to continue beating records and continue being the best.”