LIONEL MESSI got another one over on fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo after breaking his La Liga hat-tricks record on Saturday.
The Barcelona superstar ensured his side returned to the top of the table with a convincing 5-2 win over Mallorca with the 35th treble of his career in the Spanish top flight.
Lionel Messi claimed a record 35th La Liga hat-trick as he held the match ballCredit: Getty – Contributor
Messi’s hat-trick was his 12th La Liga goal in 9 gamesCredit: AFP or licensors
Messi’s three goals was his 53rd of his career – with all but 18 of those coming in La Liga.
Ronaldo previously held the record with 34 from his time at Real Madrid.
It is the second time in a week the Argentine has managed to pip the Juventus ace – after claiming his sixth Ballon d’Or.
He showed off his trophy to fans before kick-off with his family on the pitch alongside him.
And he lived up to his incredibly high expectations by running rings around the Mallorca defence.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring before Messi produced his first moment of magic.
On 16 minutes he started the attack on the right touchline and played a neat interchange with his team-mates.
He then found the ball at this feet 25-yards out before curling an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
Messi’s second came in a similar fashion, curling a left-footed effort away from the keeper just outside the area.
Luis Suarez would then steal his thunder by scoring a spectacular backheeled effort.
Messi’s hat-trick was then complete seven minutes from time when he smashed in Suarez’s layoff.
It was his 12th goal in his last nine La Liga matches and it put him at the top of the scoring charts despite missing a month through injury.
Messi paraded his sixth Ballon d’Or before kick-offCredit: AFP or licensors
Ronaldo’s La Liga record of 34 hat-tricks has been pippedCredit: Getty – Contributor
Lionel Messi tears his Barca teammates to shreds with outrageous training display
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
