Messi guides Barca to yet another La Liga title

World
Europe

00:44

A superlative Lionel Messi helped Barcelona seal their 25th La Liga crown as the Catalan giants clinched a 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

Ernesto Valverde's invincible side, who didn’t lose a single game in the entire La Liga season, took a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first half after Coutinho drew the first blood with a curling effort while Messi scored his first in the game with a volley from a Luis Suarez cross.

However, the home side, who needed a win to save relegation at the Riazor, fought back valiantly in the second half and leveled the score as Lucas Perez and Emre Colak found the net for the hosts.

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrates after his team won their 25th La Liga title at the Riazor stadium in Coruna. /VCG Photo‍

With the score being leveled at 2-2 and 10 minutes to go for the final whistle, Messi regained his sublime touch and struck twice to win the game for his side. This was Messi’s 46th hat-trick for club and country.

Meanwhile, it was also the first game for Barca’s midfield mainstay Andres Iniesta since he announced last Friday that he will leave the club at the end of the ongoing season. The 33-year-old was brought in by Valverde in the 87th minute and he received a cheerful standing ovation from both sets of fans.

Lionel Messi and his Barcelona teammates celebrate the La Liga title after their 4-2 win against Deportivo La Coruna. /VCG Photo

Next Sunday will be his final chance to play in El Clasico when Real Madrid visit the Nou Camp.

The unassailable lead at the top of the table ensured the title for Barca in Valverde’s first season as the manager of the legendary club. The Catalan giants, however, are eight titles behind arch-rivals Real Madrid’s all-time record of 33 La Liga crowns. Barca are also only four games from an unbeaten La Liga season.