Twitter explodes as Lionel Messi masterclass helps Barcelona beat Juventus 3-0

FC Barcelona v Juventus - UEFA Champions League — There was no stopping Lionel Messi

Barcelona took revenge of last season's humiliating 3-0 loss at the hands of Juventus in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League by inflicting a 3-0 loss to the Turin giants at the Camp Nou.

It was a Lionel Messi show, as the diminutive Argentine scored twice, while also setting up Ivan Rakitic's goal. It was the first time that Messi had managed to score past Gianluigi Buffon and as such, was a special night for the 30-year-old.

Twitter, as you would expect, didn't hold back from showering praise on the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner. Here are the best tweets:

The wait is over...

1 - Lionel Messi has scored his first goal against Gianluigi Buffon, with his first touch in the opposition box of the game. Timely pic.twitter.com/51DjIkzsoa
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 12, 2017

Lionel Messi: Has scored against Gianluigi Buffon for the first time in his career
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 12, 2017

The magic...

Lionel Messi vs. Juventus

The little man finally got his goal vs. Buffon as he led Barcelona to a statement win.pic.twitter.com/qVL0BLdIf3
— EiF (@EiF_Highlights) September 13, 2017

Messi leaves the defenders frozen and scores another against THE BUFFON. pic.twitter.com/7NRDGjVFMJ
— FCBdaily Media (@Fcbdailyy) September 12, 2017

The praise...

Imagine music without John Lennon. Art without Picasso. Football without Messi. Only three people. But the world would be quite different
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) September 12, 2017

That goal, more than his 'blockbusters', is why Messi is so incredible. In one sense nothing special, in another completely unstoppable
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) September 12, 2017

Messi. Less a footballer. More a human wonder. Never for one second should we take for granted our ability to watch him play in the flesh
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) September 12, 2017

???? messi is the best ever to walk on a football pitch ????
— ravel morrison (@morrisonravel) September 12, 2017

Messi's a joke.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 12, 2017

Messi, the beginning and the end.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 12, 2017

Messi defends.
Messi recovers.
Messi thinks.
Messi creates.
Messi scores.

Messi decides.
— Barça (@semprebarcaa) September 12, 2017

That "Neymar had to sacrifice for Messi" narrative was so silly. Messi is going full 2012 this season.
— Zito (@_Zeets) September 12, 2017

Messi being the greatest of all time as we all know, exhibition of his greatness as usual. Weak match by Dembélé, nervous and subbed off.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 12, 2017

Cruyff: "Everyone that understands football knows this. It's absolutely ridiculous to me that some actually think Messi isn't the best."
— Quotes of Cruyff (@Cruyff_Quotes) September 12, 2017

Trying to understand how there are people still comparing other players to Messi pic.twitter.com/yO05KiWbfs
— El Máestro (@ElMaestrofcb) September 12, 2017

Best dribbler ever ?
Best passer ever ?
Best playmaker ever ?
Best goalscorer ever ?

Simply the greatest footballer ever ?? pic.twitter.com/nzwgLv457Z
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) September 12, 2017

Some numbers!

MESSI SCORES HIS 100th GOAL IN INTERNATIONAL CUPS
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) September 12, 2017

Lionel Messi in the Champions League group stages:

58 games
59 goals

Not bad. pic.twitter.com/RgzX6qJtA0
— bet365 (@bet365) September 12, 2017

Lionel Messi has scored 7 of Barcelona's last 10 goals across all competitions:

??
??
??
??
??
?
?
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??

Out of this world. ? pic.twitter.com/bOokKEyHcV
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 12, 2017

Messi has scored 40+ goals for the ninth consecutive year;

‘09 = 41
‘10 = 60
‘11 = 59
‘12 = 91
‘13 = 45
‘14 = 58
‘15 = 52
‘16 = 59
‘17 = 40 pic.twitter.com/H1YPsQsSsc
— Quotes on Messi ? (@MessiQuote) September 12, 2017

Leo Messi has scored 9??6?? goals in the #UCL ??

Top scorer this season? pic.twitter.com/ipMrgulMlf
— #UCL (@ChampionsLeague) September 12, 2017

Leo Messi career:
? 709 Games
?? 573 Goals
? 281 Assists
? 30 Trophies
? 42 Hattricks
? 5 Ballons d'Or
? 4 Golden Boots

Greatest ever ? pic.twitter.com/ObyT73HYV9
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) September 12, 2017

? Lionel Messi this season:

? Games: 6
?? Goals: 8
? Woodwork hit: 6 pic.twitter.com/iomUDrmsq6
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) September 12, 2017

Messi scored his;

• 1st & 2nd against Buffon
• 8th of the season
• 40th of the year
• 96th in the UCL
• 573nd of his career

LEGENDARY pic.twitter.com/5SlADqk2dA
— Mr.??O?????P ??A???? (@ogbeni_opa) September 12, 2017

He does eventually get past them, doesn't he?

"Messi cant score v Neuer". Scores a brace

"Cant score v Cech". Scores a brace

"Cant score v Buffon". Scores a brace

Never doubt Messi. pic.twitter.com/KYYQaW7RHW
— R¹? (@futbolmessi_) September 12, 2017

A false dawn? Or does he have a point?

Messi isn't the same without Neymar,
Barca aren't the same without Neymar,
.
.
.
.
They look better
— Valar Morghulis (@SemperFiUnited) September 12, 2017

Messi confirms he's more up for it than ever before and Iniesta also shows that the word finished isn't in his dictionary. What a game!
— Mujtaba (@MujtaBATMAN) September 12, 2017