After Lionel Messi scored a wonderful third goal to complete his 51st career hat-trick, Real Betis supporters did what only true fans can do when in the presence of genuine football genius. They stood, applauded Messi and joined with Barcelona fans in chanting his name.

Remarkably, it was not the Camp Nou but the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville that resounded to cries of “Messi! Messi! Messi!” The Argentinian said after Barcelona’s 4-1 win that he had never received such a tribute from opposing supporters.

Oh. My. God. Messi, a hat-trick and a stadium left in suspended animation Read more

“No, I can’t remember that happening before,” he said after his 45th hat-trick for Barcelona, the other six coming for his country. “I am grateful, we are always treated well when he play here.”

Barcelona’s victory gave them a commanding 10-point lead in La Liga after Atlético Madrid’s lost at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Messi added another milestone to his list by surpassing Xavi Hernández with a club record 477th win.

“Leo’s match has been extraordinary,” Barcelona’s manager, told Movistar Partidazo. “He scored three goals and could have scored a fourth. It’s evidence of the player he is. Despite the opposition being on the receiving end, we are all enjoying this era of his, which is unequalled. It’s significant that they cheer him; it’s an acknowledgement.”

Messi struck with a powerful free-kick in the 17th minute. He added a second goal just before half-time from a pass by Luis Suárez, who scored a fantastic solo goal with a run from halfway midway through the second half.

ITV Football (@itvfootball) Wow. Just wow.



One of THE greatest hat-tricks of all time from Lionel Messi 🙌



That third goal to complete it... 😍



Watch @LaLigaEN live and free on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/IHggqwJrr6

Messi saved his best for late after the substitute Loren Morón had pulled one back. In the 85th minute, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer used one touch of his left boot to float the ball from the left side of the box over the goalkeeper, Pau López. His shot grazed the underside of the bar before going in, triggering the outburst of praise from Betis fans.

“Almost every week [Messi] plays at such an amazing level,” said the Betis coach, Quique Setién. “He is able to singlehandedly decide games.”

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Messi, who also hit the post just before the final whistle, has 39 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions this season and a potential treble in his sights. Barcelona have reached the final of the Copa del Rey and face Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next month.

Suárez sprained an ankle late in the match and Barcelona said on Monday that the forward would be out for around two weeks. The first leg of the tie against United is on 10 April.

“He will be out for 10-15 days and will now undertake his recovery with the FC Barcelona medical team,” the club said.