Barca boss Valverde insists Lionel's hat-trick in Barca's 6-1 win over Eibar is not surprising; says the Argentine's repeated brilliance is phenomenal
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Eibar during a Spanish League tie on Tuesday. Barca won 6-1. Pic/AFP
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Lionel Messi added four more goals to his early season tally as Barcelona maintained their 100 percent start to La Liga by routing Eibar 6-1 on Tuesday.
Paulinho and Denis Suarez also netted for the second consecutive game as Barca stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points over Real Madrid. "That Messi scored four goals now isn't news," said Barca boss Ernesto Valverde after the Argentine's 43rd career hat-trick. "He has done it in so many games. To keep repeating it is the most difficult thing. He is an extraordinary player. I have run out of words for him."
Valverde
Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 21 minutes. Paulinho powered home his second Barca goal from Denis Suarez's corner seven minutes before half-time. Paulinho also played his part in Barca's third with a dummy that freed Messi and, when his shot was parried by Marko Dmitrovic, Denis Suarez fired home the rebound. Sergi Enrich reduced the arrears. However, Messi restored Barca's three-goal lead with a finish from the edge of the box. Messi completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark. And he added his 12th goal in just eight games this season three minutes from time.
12 No. of goals Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has scored in just eight games this season