Messi's dead-ball hat-trick puts Barca back on top

Lionel Messi delivered an incredible dead-ball hat-trick to steer Barcelona to a 4-1 victory over Celta Vigo and ease the pressure on his coach Ernesto Valverde.

Messi scored with a penalty and then a pair of sumptuous free-kicks either side of half-time after Lucas Olaza had briefly pulled Celta level with a free-kick of his own at Camp Nou on Saturday. Sergio Busquets drove home to make sure of the win late on.

A 34th treble in La Liga puts Messi equal with Cristiano Ronaldo, while a much-needed win sends Barca above Real Madrid on goal difference and back to the top of the table at the end of a testing week.

"It is impossible not to depend on Messi, he illuminates everything," said Valverde.

"We depend on him like any team would depend on him. He unlocked the game."
"We are happy and he will be a huge player for Madrid, for sure."
- Hazard's vintage performance - =================================