Lionel Messi happy with five-star Barcelona

Argentine star praises team-mates following the Spanish side's 5-0 rout

Lionel Messi has praised Barcelona’s performance following the Spanish side’s 5-0 demolition of Tenerife on Sunday night.

The 22-year-old Argentine bagged a hat-trick during the rout, helped out by a goal from Carlos Puyol and a late Ezequiel Luna own goal.

The win sees Pep Guardiola’s Barca maintain their grip on first place in the La Liga table, where they currently sit two points clear of big-spending rivals Real Madrid.

Speaking after Sunday’s encounter, Messi expressed his delight at the result. “I’m happy about my goals but the important thing is that we have achieved another victory and played a nice game,” he said.

“It was very nice, it is important to enjoy the game and what we have done today.”

He went on to pay tribute to his Barca team-mate Bojan Krkic, who assisted all three of his strikes.

“He’s doing a great job. Today he has three assists and I am happy for him, he deserves it.”