Twitter explodes as magical Lionel Messi helps Barcelona annihilate Espanyol 5-0

Lionel Messi scored an impeccable hat-trick

Lionel Messi was at his imperious best as he netted a 66-minute hat-trick to help Barcelona claim the win against Espanyol in the Catalan derby. The Argentine has now scored 5 goals, while also rattling the woodwork on 4 occasions, in the 3 league games this season.

Ernesto Valverde's side took an early 4-point lead over rivals Real Madrid, who dropped points against Levante earlier in the day. Gerard Pique also got on the scoresheet, while Barcelona's club record signing - Ousmane Dembele - provided an assist on his debut as he came on as a second half substitute for Gerard Deulofeu.

Twitter, as you would expect, didn't hold back and rejoiced after another magical performance from Messi. Here are the best tweets:

On another level!

Lionel Messi:

? Games: 708
?? Goals: 571
? Assists: 231
? Hat-Tricks: 42

From another planet ? pic.twitter.com/WqaPzTMmH7
— SPORF (@Sporf) September 9, 2017

Five goals in three games and four posts as well. Scary from Messi.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 9, 2017

Messi seems to be struggling a tad without Neymar. 3 games 5 goals and a hat-trick tonight.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 9, 2017

? Lionel Messi, La Liga 2017-18.

? Games: 3
?? Goals: 5
? Woodwork hit: 4 pic.twitter.com/XN6hE3QDU3
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) September 9, 2017

Lionel Messi's game by numbers vs. Espanyol:

53 passes
8 shots
7 take-ons
4 chances created
4 crosses
3 goals

His 38th Barça hat-trick. ? pic.twitter.com/naZAGeWckP
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 9, 2017

Make that 802!

Messi has now been directly involved in 800 goals, during his 708 appearances for club and country.

569 goals.
231 assists.

??? pic.twitter.com/4addJGhRrC
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 9, 2017

A treat for your eyes...

Lionel Messi's hat-trick.

A magician. pic.twitter.com/RlYhYV9Vd5
— infosmessi (@INFOSMESSl) September 9, 2017

Hat-trick, well, what's that?

Lionel Messi: 42 career hat-tricks:

Barcelona: 38 ??????
Argentina: 4 ??????

The greatest ever!! pic.twitter.com/czgNjdO7Q6
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) September 9, 2017

The perfect start!

Barcelona have won every game in LaLiga so far this season:

3 games
3 wins
3 clean sheets
9 goals

Perfect start. ? pic.twitter.com/41P9zafwz8
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 9, 2017

Hard to argue against this one!

I always wonder how can people watch 90 minutes of Messi and any other player and claim someone else is better.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) September 9, 2017

Barcelona fans be like...

Barca win, Madrid draw, Messi hat trick, and Dembele comes on and assists for Suarez. Perfect day of football. pic.twitter.com/cQEOG81Jz6
— Veron (@MesmericMessi) September 9, 2017

?3 points
?Messi hat trick
?Dembele debut
?Pique goal
?Dembele assist
?Suarez goal
Goodnight#BarçaEspanyol pic.twitter.com/wibPuF7AEY
— Pratik Kadam (@Pratik_1808) September 9, 2017

Hahaha!

FC Barcelona's new front three
(Credits: @Loaiiy ) pic.twitter.com/T3i9UbjnOE
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) September 9, 2017