Lionel Messi: Top 5 performances of 2018/2019 (so far)

#3 Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona (Agg 2-4)

50th career hat-trick and what an important one!

Time and again whenever Barcelona are losing; every player, manager, and fans look up to Messi to rescue them. And just like other occasions, Lionel Messi once again bailed out his team. He scored his 50th career hat-trick against Sevilla, extending his goal tally against them - 36 goals in 35 games. Valverde’s side was forced to play below-par for large parts of the game and were 2-1 behind at half time. Jesus Navas opened the scoring for Sevilla in the 22nd minute. But in the 26th minute, Rakitic crossed the ball into the Sevilla penalty box and Messi struck the ball to the back of the net. This volley goal could be one of the finest goals this season. Just before the half time break, Sevilla found the back of the net and this time the goal was scored by Messi's national team compatriot, Mercado.

In the second half, Barcelona played with more determination and Valverde making some tactical changes. In the 67th minute, Messi combined well with Dembele to equalize as he curled the ball into the net with his "weak" foot. Later with only 5 minutes left for the match to end, Messi once again scored a goal, this time with a chip to complete his hat-trick. And if this wasn't enough, Messi assisted Suarez as he too chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to end the match 4-2 in the Catalan club's favour. Once again, Lionel Messi was involved in all the goals of his club.

Wissam Ben Yedder in his Instagram post said; "In this world, we might have won this game. But there's a player from another planet who wanted it otherwise. Proud of the team, we never surrender." You know you are the best when even the rivals start acknowledging your greatness.