“On his 20th career hat-trick, Messi meets Iniesta’s pass with a crisp left-footed half-volley that rockets from close range into the roof of the net, an almost certain finish (xG 0.98) that seals Barcelona’s 4–1 win and takes him to 270 career goals.”
Messi’s 20th career hat-trick arrives in La Liga against Málaga, turning a supposedly rare feat into a routine weapon as he converts twice from the spot and still finds time for a third in open play.
Dani Alves’s clipped cross sits up awkwardly and Messi meets it with a crisp left‑foot half‑volley into the corner to break Osasuna’s resistance and start an 8–0 rout, the opener contributing to his remarkable 300th goal contribution for Barcelona.
In a tense Clásico with Barcelona trailing 0–1, Messi lashes a left‑footed half‑volley through the crowd from close range, the ball skidding up off the turf to level the game and push him to 176 La Liga goals and 292 overall.
A rising half‑volley with his left foot off Alexis Sánchez’s assist doubles Barcelona’s lead on Betis, the clean first-time contact sending the ball skimming past the keeper for career goal 231 and La Liga strike 137.
Trailing Valencia 0–1, Messi meets the rebound with a rising left-foot half-volley that explodes through bodies to drag Barcelona level, a technically demanding equalizer that becomes La Liga goal number 471 and career strike 740.