Barcelona's Lionel Messi: Hat-trick in win over Manchester City

Messi started Wednesday's 4-0 victory over Manchester City, winning two tackles, providing an assist and scoring a hat-trick from four shot attempts.

Analysis:

Messi wasn't at his best, but opportunistically took care of business in pouncing on a loose ball in the box for his first goal before making the Citizens pay for giveaways in their own end on the other two. He also won a penalty before Neymar misfired on the ensuing spot-kick, although he set the latter up for a goal just minutes later. Messi has shown no real signs of the groin injury that cost him nearly a month on the sidelines, with four goals and an assist in just 125 minutes of play since returning. He will carry this momentum into Saturday's league match versus Valencia.