The Barcelona forward scored his 100th goal in European competition as Barcelona moved close to qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League by thumping Olympiakos 3-1.
Barcelona took the lead in the 18th minute at a sparsely attended Nou Camp when visiting defender Dimitrios Nikolaou turned Gerard Deulofeu’s cross into his own net.
Things were made difficult when Gerard Pique received his marching orders two minutes before half-time for two bookings, one for tugging an opponent’s shirt and the other for slapping the ball into the net.
But then up stepped Messi to ensure their unbeaten run under Ernesto Valverde remains in tact with a sublime free-kick.
It was his 97th goal in the Champions League, while his other three strikes in Europe came in the UEFA Super Cup.
The Argentine then carved his way through the hapless visiting defence moments later to tee up Lucas Digne to score his first goal in the Champions League for Barca before Nikolaou scored one right at at the death in the correct goal.
Barca weren’t the only team to score three goals across Europe as Chelsea and Roma both managed the same feat in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea looked comfortable after going two goals up courtesy of David Luiz and Eden Hazard before Aleksandar Kolarov pulled one back before the break.
The former Manchester City forward found the net once again after the break with a stunning volley before adding another to stun the Stamford Bridge crowd.
Chelsea looked to be heading to another defeat following their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday, until Hazard came to their rescue with a deft header from Pedro’s cross.
Over in Portugal, Manchester United made it three wins from three with a helping hand from Benfica’s goalkeeper.
Benfica’s 18-year-old debutant keeper Mile Svilar became the youngest goalkeeper in Champions League history at the age of 18 years and 52 days but it was one to forget for the teenager.
A deep inswinging free-kick from Marcus Rashford saw United’s frustration eased on 64 minutes when Svilar misjudged the cross and carried the ball over the line.
Rashford’s strike was a far cry from Messi’s stunner but both players delivered the goods once again on the Champiosn League stage.