Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick to became La Liga's all-time leading scorer as Barcelona won 5-1 at home to Sevilla on Saturday at the Camp Nou.Messi tied Telmo Zarra's record of 251 goals with a 21st-minute free-kick and broke it by finishing off a fine team move 18 minutes from time. The Argentine then added a third in the 78th minute to round off a convincing Barca victory.Still only 27, Messi should have several seasons left to build on his record, which now stands at 253 goals in 289 matches.Neymar scored once and added two assists for Barcelona, who won their second straight league match after losing two in a row. Ivan Rakitic had the other goal for Barca, a header against his former side.Sevilla drew level briefly in the early moments of the second half via a Jordi Alba own goal. In the end, though, the visitors were well-beaten by an irresistible Barcelona attack led by the matchless Messi.After struggling through an injury-riddled 2013-14 season, Messi lost out on the Ballon d'Or award to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo last year. But while Messi's 10 league goals are no match for Ronaldo's 20 this season, Saturday's performance hinted that Messi and Barcelona might be getting back to their best form.Up next for Barca in the league is a trip to Valencia next weekend. Luis Enrique's side is currently second in the table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid. Sevilla host Granada the same day. Graham Ruthven noted Barcelona's "outstanding performance," specifically highlighting Messi and Neymar:The early stages of the match saw end-to-end action but with few clear chances. Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Neymar had shots blocked, and Messi had a shot saved in the opening 13 minutes.Barcelona began to build pressure around the quarter-hour mark, and it paid off in the 21st minute. Messi drew a foul outside the box, slightly left of centre, and took the free-kick himself. With expert technique, the Argentine curled his shot up and over the wall and into the top corner for the record-tying goal and a 1-0 Barcelona lead.The score remained the same until the opening minutes of the second half, when both teams scoredwithin five minutes of the restart.Sevilla hit first, capitalising on poor defending to grab an equaliser in the 47th minute. Vitolo created the danger with a dribble to the byline on the left before crossing into the middle for Denis Suarez. Suarez was unable to produce a first-time shot, but the ball bounced past the Sevilla attacker and into the net off Alba.Barcelona hit back moments later, retaking the lead with another set piece. After Luis Suarez won a free-kick well outside the box on the left, Xavi played a short pass to Rakitic to start the sequence. Rakitic stalled the ball, allowing Xavi to curl a longer, lofted pass into the danger area. In the crowded box, Neymar rose highest to flick a header into the bottom corner to restore Barca's lead.The hosts made it 3-1 in the 65th minute with a well-worked goal. Centre-back Gerard Pique started the move with a fine long ball that freed Suarez on the right side of Sevilla's box. Near the byline, Suarez crossed to the back post for an unmarked Rakitic, who headed in powerfully.With the win looking secure, Messi broke the record with Barca's fourth goal in the 72nd minute. Fittingly, it was a flowing team move, as Messi led a three-on-two in Sevilla's half. After passing to Neymar on the left, Messi turned in the return pass at the back post for the record-setting strike.Then, with the record in hand, Messi finished off his hat-trick in the 78th minute with the best goal of the day. Holding possession along the edge of the box, Messi angled toward the middle from the right flank, using Neymar as a wall for a one-two pass. After receiving the return pass, Messi curled an inch-perfect shot into the bottom corner for Barca's fifth and final goal of the day.But if Saturday's performance was any indication, it will hardly be the team'sor Messi'slast.GradesReactionBarcelona coach Luis Enrique, per AS (via Football Espana):There are plenty of Messi goals that I like. For years Ive said Ive not seen a player like this. He is unmatched by any player Ive ever seen.He will be a unique and unrepeatable player. Now we have him and we enjoy him. I thought no one would beat Zarra and lookI like to live in the present and it is wonderful. For me Messi is the best player ever.Theres no controversy. Messi knows the fans hold him very dear. He feels very comfortable here.Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu, per AS (via Football Espana):Hes a spectacular, great, great player. I run out of adjectives to describe the best player in the world and in history.Hes shown it and hes still young and can score more goals. We have years to enjoy Messi.I think his career will end here. He has a contract with us and hes happy and content. He will want to continue but there are non-sporting reasons we dont like and we will defend him in all areas.Here in Barcelona and in Catalonia, yes, he is the best ever. Outside, they talk about issues I dont like.We are very happy with what he has done today. We were amazed and we kneel before him.Read more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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