Messi hat-trick reminds world of genius
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
MADRID, March 15 (AFP): Superstar Lionel Messi is on course for a record-breaking goal-scoring season following his sublime hat-trick in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Valencia Sunday.
Argentine international Messi scored three brilliant goals to bamboozle third-placed Valencia and move him onto 22 goals for the season, three ahead of compatriot and Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain at the top of the goalscoring charts.
Higuain also hit a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-1 win at Valladolid.
Messi opened the scoring on 56 minutes dancing around three defenders with a mazy dribble at speed with cut-backs and body swerves before cooly finishing.
It was the pick of the goals but the other two were also impressive with a solo run and a left-footed curler on 81 minutes before another dribble and deft right-footed chip clinched his hat-trick a minute later.
Messi, still only 22, is now only one goal away from equalling his league best of 23 set last season and there are still 12 games to go.
"He (Messi) is the best player in the world but not a natural goalscorer. However, this year he has scored a lot and I hope he can continue doing so," team-mate Gerard Pique told the Barcelona official website "Everyone knows he would like the Golden Boot. But it is not something that he has to do. If in the end he manages that then great.
Argentine international Messi scored three brilliant goals to bamboozle third-placed Valencia and move him onto 22 goals for the season, three ahead of compatriot and Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain at the top of the goalscoring charts.
Higuain also hit a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-1 win at Valladolid.
Messi opened the scoring on 56 minutes dancing around three defenders with a mazy dribble at speed with cut-backs and body swerves before cooly finishing.
It was the pick of the goals but the other two were also impressive with a solo run and a left-footed curler on 81 minutes before another dribble and deft right-footed chip clinched his hat-trick a minute later.
Messi, still only 22, is now only one goal away from equalling his league best of 23 set last season and there are still 12 games to go.
"He (Messi) is the best player in the world but not a natural goalscorer. However, this year he has scored a lot and I hope he can continue doing so," team-mate Gerard Pique told the Barcelona official website "Everyone knows he would like the Golden Boot. But it is not something that he has to do. If in the end he manages that then great.