Barcelona finished their 2019/20 La Liga campaign with a flourish, defeating Alaves 5-0 after goals from Ansu Fati, Luis Suarez, Nelson Semedo and two from Lionel Messi.
After the loss against Osasuna last week which handed the championship to Real Madrid, the Argentine was openly critical of the team and how the club is currently being run.
In the next game, Barca responded in the best possible fashion, as they battered Alaves.
What was Messi's overall display like?
📷 Match Snapshot
Just after the midway point of the first half, Barcelona took the lead after a goal from Fati. Messi has harshly not been credited for an assist for the opener, as it was his clipped cross into the centre of the box which was finished by the 17-year-old. A deflection off the defender leaves the Argentine without the assist on this occasion.
⚽ ⏱️ 34' Ten minutes later, he would score his first goal in typically calm and collected Messi fashion. He latches on to a pass from Riqui Puig and takes a touch through the middle into the box before feigning to shoot to send the goalkeeper off balance, which allows him to then pass into the left corner.
For the third goal of the game, he again didn't record the goal or assist, but rather the 'pre-assist', as it was his lofted ball down the left wing which was met by Jordi Alba, allowing the left-back to cross in for Suarez to head home.
⚽ ⏱️ 75' Fifteen minutes from time, the Argentine would claim his second, darting into the danger area around the penalty spot to score with a first time finish into the bottom corner after the cross from Alba.
Alaves 0-5 Barcelona: Full Player Ratings and Statistics
The two goals were two of 11 touches he had inside the box which was more than anyone else in the game.
He completed 46/53 attempted passes, 29 of which were sent into the final third - a tally which was only bettered by Alba and Sergi Roberto.
〽️ Rating Week-on-Week
✔️ IMPROVEMENT
Messi scored Barcelona's only goal of the game in the 2-1 loss versus Osasuna, earning himself a 8.2 FC Rating.
His masterful outing against Alaves bumped him up to a perfect 10 FC Rating.
🗝️ Key Stats
Messi match stats
| Statistic | Value | Notes |
| FC Rating | 10 | 🏆 FC Man of the Match |
| Mins Played | 90 | |
| Touches | 81 | |
| Touches In Box | 11 | Rank #1 |
| Shots | 4 | |
| On Target | 2 | |
| Goals | 2 | |
| Final Third Passes | 29 | Rank #3 |
What Next?
With La Liga finished for another season, Barcelona now turn their attention to the Champions League last-16 second leg clash against Napoli in a few weeks. If the Blaugrana are to have any hope of not only winning the competition but even progressing to the quarter-final, they are unfortunately again going to have to heavily rely on the Argentine.
Lionel Messi 
Barcelona 
Alavés 
Real Madrid 
