UEFA Champions League: 4 memorable hat-tricks in the Round of 16 over the years

#4 Lionel Messi vs Bayer Leverkusen (2011/12)

The Argentine's third treble and first 5-goal haul annihilated Leverkusen

The Argentine magician Lionel Messi was at it again when he struck his third UCL hat-trick against German side Bayer Leverkusen in the return leg back in 2012. Apart from equaling Filippo Inzaghi's record, the feat was made even more special as Leo added two more to his tally, making it five for the night in a 7-1 triumph.

The five-goal haul was a first in the competition's history.

Messi was at the peak of his goalscoring powers throughout 2012, with a personal-best 14-goal UCL campaign and a record 50-goal La Liga season, all culminating into 91 calendar year goals - surpassing Gerd Muller's four-decade-old record of 85. The 31-year old's eight UCL hat-tricks are the most by any player till date.