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

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: 42From 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 passes8 shots7 take-ons4 chances created4 crosses3 goalsHis 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 games3 wins3 clean sheets9 goalsPerfect 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 goalGoodnight#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