Messi magic mesmerizes even his rivals

Betis fans chant Argentine's name after masterclass

SEVILLE, Spain - Lionel Messi is used to receiving adulation at Camp Nou but on Sunday he got a rapturous reception from rival supporters. for a majestic hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-1 win at Real Betis.

Messi opened the scoring with an unstoppable freekick then combined to devastating effect with Luis Suarez to carve Betis open and score a second goal right before halftime.

The Argentine saved his best for last, completing a victory which took Barca 10 points clear at the top of La Liga with a spectacular first-timed chip from the edge of the area after playing a one-two with Ivan Rakitic.

Beaten Betis goalkeeper Pau Lopez looked on in awe while most of the crowd of 54,000, comprised predominantly of home fans, rose to their feet, bowed down to Messi and even chanted his name.

"Even though the opposition concedes goals to Messi they can still enjoy this unbelievable era which he has created. They enjoy and today they recognized that," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

"It's significant that they gave him this ovation, it's an acknowledgement. Our rivals' supporters have to suffer him but they also appreciate him, because of the player he is.

"Leo's performance was extraordinary, he got three goals but he could have got four. That shows you how good he is."

Messi's treble, his second in a month in Seville, fourth of the season and 51st of his career, moved Barca 10 points clear of Atletico Madrid with 10 games left to play, a gap surely too big to close.

"We had a great opportunity to increase the gap on Atletico," Messi said. "We had to take it tonight."

Messi now has 29 league goals this season, 39 in all competitions, and together with Suarez's 18 their combined total of 47 is more than all but two of the other teams in the division.

Betis coach Quique Setien commended the home fans for their Messi tribute while saying he felt honored to work in the same era as the Argentine.

"I really like the fact our supporters showed their appreciation for a great player; today he really made us suffer," Setien said.

"It's only fair and it's right to recognize this, our fans behaved in an extraordinary way and I'm very proud of them. I've seen some magnificent players do great things, but nobody can match the things Messi has done over the last 12 years.

"It's a privilege to have been able to start this era with him and see him in action every weekend."

The five-time world player of the year still has two months left in the campaign.

To round off the night, Messi added another milestone to his list by surpassing Xavi Hernandez with a club-record 477th win.

Messi said he could not recall being applauded by a rival team's fans.

"I cannot remember anything like this before and I'm very grateful for the fans' reaction," Messi said.

"I'm very grateful to them and happy for the victory, which was very important."

A simple finish from Suarez's exquisite assist came between a freekick perfectly planted into the top corner and a curling chip that grazed the bar and dropped in - prompting the standing ovation.

This was supposed to be one of the more awkward tests in Barcelona's run-in, which includes Atletico Madrid at home and fifth-place Alaves away. All the rest of its opponents currently sit 10th or lower.

"It depends on us and staying aware that nothing is decided yet," Messi said of the title run-in.

"Worse things have happened. There are still lots of points in play and we have to keep playing like this."

Barca's form bodes badly for Manchester United, which it faces in the Champions League quarterfinals next month.

Already in the final of the Copa del Rey, where Barca will return to this stadium to face Valencia in May, a treble is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.

Reuters / AFP