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

#1 Real Betis vs FC Barcelona (Agg 1-4)

The GOAT!

Very few players in modern football have received the privilege of being recognized and applauded from away fans and at the opposition team's home. Lionel Messi is one of the few players who has twice received such a stellar response from two different sets of fans. He first received a standing ovation from Atletico Madrid fans during the 2008/09 season. And the second one from the Real Betis fans at the Benito Villamarin stadium this week. The best player in the world scored his 51st career hat-trick against them. Part of what made the hat-trick against Betis special, however, was the way in which each goal was different. It displayed the wealth of resources that the Barcelona captain has at his disposal.

His first goal of the night came in the form of a world-class free-kick. The devilish curl on the ball sucked the breath out of every person in the stadium. The goalkeeper, Pau Lopez made an effort to try and stop the ball but his effort was in vain. The power of the shot made it impossible for him to stop it from finding the back of the net.

His second goal was a result of his one-twos with Suarez. The Barcelona no. 10 passed the ball to the Barcelona no. 9 and made the run. Suarez waited patiently for Messi to reach the desired position and then with a killer instinct passed the ball back to Messi ausing his backheel. Using his "weak' foot Leo shot the ball past the keeper. Messi created plentiful chances for Suarez to convert. But Suarez failed in doing so. Later in the 63rd minute, Suarez scored a wonderful solo goal, the kind which would make Messi proud.

Barcelona's fourth, Lionel Messi's third and most special goal of the night came in the 85th minute. Messi picked up the ball, made a run to the centre of the pitch, passing it to Rakitic, and ran into the box, Rakitic passed the ball back to Messi who with his first touch chipped the ball over Pau Lopez. Note that Pau Lopez is over 6.2 feet tall and Messi chipped from around 20 yards. The television cameras almost immediately zoomed to Lopez, who was in disbelief at what had just happened. "What a beast" the Spaniard seemed to mutter to himself.

“There’s not much you can do against Messi” Betis striker Loren Morón said. So Betis fans did the only thing that felt right: Not much except applaud: as the ball went in, all around the ground, the Betis’s fans – began to clap, 54,172 people on their feet. Thousands of them were chanting Messi’s name, bowing before him, being privileged to witness such divine presence amongst them.

“I’ve seen great players do wonderful things but not with the consistency and the ability to decide everything that Messi has. I don’t know if even Pelé had this consistency,” Setien said. “It’s every game, every single one. You feel lucky to have been around at the same time as him; to be able to watch him every Sunday.” And this isn't even the end of the season. Barcelona still has 10 games in league, a Copa Del Rey final and Champions League ties against Manchester United.

Remarkably, he is now averaging a goal or assist every 53 minutes over all competitions. But again, you don’t need to get drawn into statistics with Lionel Messi. All you have to do is enjoy watching him play, as the man who has perfected the beautiful game weaves his magic all over the ground. Nobody else comes even close.