Lionel Messi warmed up for Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony by scoring his first hat-trick in 10 months as Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win over Granada to return to the top of the Primera Division.
The Argentine netted twice in the opening quarter of an hour and completed his treble after the break, pouncing after Neymar had hit the post, but the Brazilian was able to get on the scoresheet late on to complete the rout.
Luis Enrique’s side go one point ahead of Atletico Madrid at the league’s summit, though the Rojiblancos can leap above them again when they face Celta Vigo on Sunday.
It had been an eventful week for Barcelona, who avenged their goalless draw at Espanyol last weekend with a resounding 4-1 win over their neighbours in the Copa del Rey. The latter game witnessed 10 bookings and two red cards, both for Espanyol, while Luis Suarez was later banned for two cup matches for an incident in the tunnel at half-time.
And on Friday, Dani Alves poured fuel on the fire with a tirade against the Spanish press on social media, which the club quickly condemned.
Alves started on the bench against Granada, with Aleix Vidal making his first start for the Catalans. Arda Turan kept his place in the line-up at the expense of Andres Iniesta after making his full debut in the cup tie with Espanyol.
Granada have never won at the Nou Camp in their 85 year history and it soon became clear they would have to wait at least another year.
Messi spotted Turan’s run on the left of the box and threaded the ball to him before dashing for the middle of the area, where he was picked out by the Turkey international, who slid the ball through the legs of Agbo Uche for Messi to tap into the net.
Lionel Messi’s first hat trick of the season helped Barcelona cruise to victory.
The Argentine got his second goal in the 14th minute, turning the ball in from the tightest of angles after Suarez knocked Neymar’s cross to the far post with one touch.
