Lionel Messi as always was the Messiah for Barcelona as he provided three assists to help his team down determined Real Betis 3-2 in a match that represents a homecoming for Barcelona coach Setien.
Real Betis have taken the lead through Nabil Fekir, Messi delivered a perfect pass for De Jong to equalize, soon again Betis took the lead again and in the stroke of half time, a well-delivered Lionel Messi free-kick was met by Sergio Bosquet to restore parity again for Barcelona. Messi completed his hat trick of assists as his free-kick was met by Lenglet, the defender heading home what happened to be the winner for Barcelona as they close the gap to Real Madrid back to 3 points, the capital club have opened a 6 point gap earlier in the weekend.
The latest feat from Messi was not the first time he will register three assists in a game, actually, this happens to be the fourth time he will provide three assists in-game. His first trio came against Levante in the Copa del Rey in 2014 and the next for Barca came in the league in 2016 at home against Getafe. In between, he recorded the feat for Argentina in the Copa America in 2015 in the 6-1 win over Paraguay. In La Liga, only two other players have provided three assists in one game: Pablo Sarabia for Sevilla and Leo Messi’s teammate, Luis Suárez on no less than three occasions.
With his latest hat trick of assists, Messi has reached double figures in goals and assists, 14 goals and 11 assists, only Borussia Dortmund attacker Jadon Sancho can lay claim to double figures in both goals and assists in 2019-2020 season alongside Messi. The English man has 12 goals and 13 assists respectively so far this season.