Messi hat-trick adorns Barca's 5-0 romp at Levante

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Levante v FC Barcelona - Ciutat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain - December 16, 2018 Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Levante's Sergio Postigo REUTERS/Heino Kalis

VALENCIA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi netted his first hat-trick of the La Liga season and provided two assists in yet another sensational individual display as a rampant Barcelona won 5-0 at Levante to strengthen their lead at the top of the table on Sunday.

Messi, at his mesmeric best, notched the 31st La Liga hat-trick of his career for Barca while also setting up goals for Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique.