Messi hits milestone in four-goal masterclass

Barcelona star Lionel Messi scored four goals in a home match against Eibar on Tuesday, bringing his Camp Nou tally to 300 in all competitions.

Messi reached the milestone during a 6-1 victory that kept the Catalan side perfect during the current La Liga season.

After a sluggish start to the match, Messi converted a penalty 20 minutes in to take his 2017 tally to 40 goals in as many games.

The 30-year old then scored twice in quick succession in the second half to complete his hat-trick - his second of the season after putting three past Espanyol.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was not done there as he added his fourth three minutes from the end to complete the six-goal hammering.

Messi has scored on eight of his last 12 shots in La Liga.

And with nine goals already in the league, the Argentine is already looking a decent bet for the Pichichi title.

Barcelona's win puts the pressure on rivals Real Madrid who are preparing to welcome their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo back from suspension when Real Betis visit the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has missed Real's opening four league games and the second leg of the Spanish Supercup against Barcelona due to a five-match ban imposed on him after he pushed a referee last month.

In his absence Real have dropped four points and manager Zinedine Zidane is understandably delighted the club's all-time record scorer is available again.

"We're happy to have Cristiano Ronaldo back. I hope it's the last time we're without him," he said.

"He looks happy, very happy, because he likes to play, to be with the group and his team-mates. Tomorrow he's back at the Santiago Bernabeu and every player likes that.

"I think that the stats speak for themselves when we're talking about what Cristiano contributes. There's almost no player in the world who gets as many goals and as decisive ones as him and (Lionel) Messi. That's what makes the difference.

"It's going to be difficult for him to improve on those impressive statistics but he's ambitious and I wouldn't be surprised."