FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.01.2010 23:55

Third hat-trick and top scorer

Anna Segura

Lionel Messi scored his third hat-trick for FC Barcelolna's first-team with a trio of goals on Sunday evening against Tenerife and joined Valencia's David Villa as the league's top goalscorer this term with 12.

The Canary islands proved to be a rich hunting ground once again for the Blaugrana and the Argentinian was in fine form as he netted three of the visitors goals in a 0-5 triumph. While Víctor Valdés kept the ball out at one end, Messi scored at the other while Andrés Iniesta created the space and Bojan Krkic supplied the passes.

Hat-trick ball

At the end of the game Messi ensured that he kept the matchball for scoring his hat-trick but it was not his first for Barça. That came on March 10, 2007 when he netted three times against Real Madrid in Camp Nou in a 3-3 draw.

His second hat-trick came in the Vicente Calderón last term. On January 6, 2009 the forward was applauded by the Atlético de Madrid fans for his display.

Third favourite

"I am happy with the win and with my three goals," Messi said after the win against Tenerife. "The third one was my favourite. I want to thank the people of Tenerife. I was a great game and I think we deserved for all our hard work."

Chart topper

With his three goals on Sunday Messi moved level with Villa at the top of the Pichichi charts with 12 goals. In all competitions the FC Barcelona forward has 19 to his name.