Barcelona coach Valverde hails Messi after Argentine scores hat-trick in 5-0 thrashing of Espanyol; admits victory doesn't mean anything in title run
A jubilant Lionel Messi after scoring for Barcelona against Espanyol at Camp Nou on Saturday. Barcelona won 5-0. Pic/Getty Images
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde hailed "extraordinary" Lionel Messi after the Argentina playmaker netted a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Catalan rivals Espanyol at the Nou Camp.
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With both Real Madrid and Atletico having dropped points with draws earlier in the day, Barcelona were looking to strike an early blow at the top of the La Liga table. Messi set the Blaugrana on their way with the opening goal after 26 minutes.
The number 10 doubled the lead shortly before half-time from close range after a ricochet in the penalty area had fallen into the path of Jordi Alba, and completed his treble just after the hour.
Ernesto Valverde
Gerard Pique's header made it 4-0 with three minutes left before £96.8million signing Ousmane Dembele, on as a late substitute, laid a fifth on a plate for Luis Suarez in stoppage time.
It was a 42nd career hat-trick for Messi, 38 of which have come for Barcelona. "I am happy for Leo who scored three goals and is extraordinary," Valverde said. "We pulled through a complicated game, because these kinds of matches are always tough. Despite the result, it wasn't easy."
Despite Barcelona's positive start, Valverde wants to keep things in perspective. "We are at the beginning of the season and the distances are not significant, but it is better to be ahead than behind," Valverde said. "It does not mean anything, but being ahead is always good," he added.
42
No. of hat-tricks Lionel Messi has scored in his career, 38 of which have come for Barca
16
No. of goals the Argentine has scored in Catalan derbies, most by any player
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