Messi scores hat trick, becomes all-time highest scorer in La Liga

FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in a 5-1 triumph against Sevilla at the Camp Nou Saturday, to become the all-time highest scorer in La Liga history.

Messi scored his first goal of the match in the 21st minute, before netting again in the 72nd minute, for his 252nd goal, which eclipsed the earlier record of 251 goals set by former Athletic Club Bilbao striker, Telmo Zarra in the 1950's, according to a Xinhua report.

Messi added another goal 12 minutes from time to add to his tally.

Barcelona were clearly superior to a Sevilla side which did not have a shot on goal all game and whose solitary goal came at the start of the second half when Jordi Alba put the ball into his own net.

The Camp Nou chanted Messi's name to end a week, which had kicked off with doubts over his future at the club.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid won 4-0 away against Eibar and Atletico Madrid kicked beat Malaga 3-1 at home.