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Lionel Messi

MADRID. — Lionel Messi added four more goals to his soaring early season tally as a much-changed Barcelona maintained their 100 percent start to the Spanish La Liga by routing Eibar 6-1 on Tuesday night.

Paulinho and Denis Suarez also netted for the second consecutive game as Barca stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points over Real Madrid, who hosted Real Betis last night.

Messi has now scored nine goals in five league games after hitting four past Eibar during a 6-1 win on Tuesday. Messi’s midweek haul was the fourth time he has scored four goals in a La Liga game, having also netted his 24th league hat-trick against Espanyol a fortnight ago.

“That Messi scored four goals now isn’t news,” said Barca boss Ernesto Valverde after the Argentine’s 43rd career hat-trick. “He has done it so many nights, in so many games. To keep repeating it is the most difficult thing. “He is an extraordinary player. I have run out of words for him.”

Messi played in a more central role as Valverde heavily rotated his side for the first time since taking charge with Luis Suarez dropping to the bench among six changes from Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win at Getafe. — AFP.