Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has praised Lionel Messi for his impressive contribution in the 5-1 victory over Espanyol.

The Argentine superstar scored a hat-trick to take his tally to 19 goals in just 19 matches this campaign. Without the 27-year-old, it would have been very different since Espanyol took the lead in the 13th minute through Sergio Garcia. For long periods of the match, it looked like Espanyol would grab an unlikely victory. Messi equalised right on the stroke of 45 minutes before managing to inspire a 5-1 victory. Defender Dani Alves was part of the team even though his future remains under doubt.

The Brazilian is out of contract at the end of the campaign and Barcelona are willing to offer him an extension to his £ 96,000 per week contract unless he takes a pay cut. Alves expects to receive much better offers, especially from Premier League clubs. Hence, he is prepared to end his Barcelona career by joining the likes of Manchester United or Manchester City in the summer. He has already hinted that the Premier League will be his next destination. The hat-trick scored by Messi was his third in this campaign and it helps him move closer to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 23 league goals already.

"Until their goal it was a relatively placid game for us. Espanyol closed up at the back and it was difficult to get through, but we are used to that.We missed a couple of chances and they had some opportunities too. Messi's equaliser was key because in the second half we were better, we were much more effective and with the players we have, it is difficult for other teams to stop us when we are effective like that. Today, Leo wasn't only decisive with his goals, but also with the way he set up chances and in his defensive play,” said Enrique.