{"id":1114791,"date":"2019-11-10T14:33:14","date_gmt":"2019-11-10T14:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1114791"},"modified":"2019-11-10T14:33:14","modified_gmt":"2019-11-10T14:33:14","slug":"messi-hat-trick-record-ronaldo-manarama","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/messi-hat-trick-record-ronaldo-manarama\/","title":{"rendered":"Messi equals Ronaldo hat-trick record as Barcelona reclaim top spot in La Liga"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lionel Messi scored his 34th La Liga hat-trick for Barcelona on Saturday\u00a0\u2013 equalling a record originally set by Cristiano Ronaldo.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Argentine genius netted three as Barca steamrolled Celta Vigo 4-1 at the Camp Nou, helping Ernesto Valverde’s reclaim top spot.<\/p>\n

The three points will come as a huge relief to Valverde\u00a0after last week’s banana skin defeat to Levante, as well as Barca’s midweek Champions League stalemate against Slavia Prague.<\/p>\n

Messi worked his usual magic to remedy those recent frustrations and, in fitting fashion, struck home two delectable free-kicks.<\/p>\n

His left-footed curlers came either side of half-time, leaving Celta goalkeeper Ruben Blanco clutching at straws, while also keeping Barca ahead of bitter adversaries Real Madrid on goal difference.<\/p>\n

A penalty-kick in the 23rd minute preceded the set-piece masterclass that would soon unravel in Catalonia, while\u00a0Sergio Busquets completed the rout in the 85th minute.<\/p>\n

As he took home another La Liga ball, this one would have felt special, as he has now equalled Ronaldo’s record for the most hat-tricks scored in Spanish top-flight history.<\/p>\n

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Adding further fuel to the Messi vs Ronaldo debate, the diminutive phenom can now look to swing the pendulum in his favour by breaking that hat-trick record.<\/p>\n

In the immediate aftermath, Valverde couldn’t contain his admiration for\u00a0the No. 10 maestro, lauding not only his wonderment with the ball at his feet, but also his desire and determination.<\/p>\n

“With Leo, anything is possible,” Valverde said<\/a>.\u00a0“[Taking free kicks] is something that he’s mastered to perfection. Because of this, the opponent can’t commit fouls on the edge of their own box. If they do, we try to take advantage.<\/p>\n

“Messi, apart from scoring goals, has a commitment to the game.”<\/p>\n

This record-equaling feat is just the latest marker in an illustrious catalogue of accomplishments for Messi, and with no discernible signs that the 32-year-old is slowing down, that list is set to continue to grow.<\/p>\n

Squawka is bringing you a Stat of the Day, every day, for 45 days as part of MANarama’s fundraising campaign for Prostate Cancer UK.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Visit <\/i>manarama.co.uk<\/i><\/a> for more information. <\/i><\/i><\/strong>Click here<\/i><\/a> to donate to the campaign\u2019s Just Giving page.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n