Valverde admits Messi’s brilliance transcends rivalries after Betis ovation

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde admitted the brilliance of Lionel Messi transcends club rivalries after the Argentina superstar received a standing ovation from Real Betis fans.Messi scored three superb goals to record his 51st career hat-trick in a 4-1 win that helped Barca open up a 10-point lead at the top of LaLiga.After Messis final strike, a brilliant chip from the edge of the box which went in off the underside of the bar, the home fans at theBenito Villamarin Stadium rose as one to hail the five-time Ballon dOr winner. RESPECT Messi received an ovation from fans at the Benito Villamarin after his superhuman performance. #RealBetisBara pic.twitter.com/Xx5riwPixq LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 17, 2019Valverde said that showed the standing Messi who also hit the post late on has in the game.The Barca boss toldMovistar Partidazo after the game: Leos match has been extraordinary. He scored three goals and could have scored a fourth.Its evidence of the player he is. Despite the opposition being on the receiving end, we are all enjoying this era of his, which is unequalled.Its significant that they cheer him, its an acknowledgement.MVP of the Match? LIKE: LeoRT: Messi pic.twitter.com/vRzKmPxOUY FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 17, 2019Messi admits he cannot recall ever receiving such a reception from rival fans and thanked the Betis supporters.He said: To be honest no, I dont remember the opposition fans giving me an ovation for a goal. Im very grateful for the response from the fans.Were always treated very well when we come to this stadium. Im very grateful and happy for the win, which was very important.Messi opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a brilliant 25-yard free-kick before linking up well with Luis Suarez to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.Missed Messi's masterclass? Watch all the highlights from #RealBetisBara! pic.twitter.com/Tt5qlgVoo5 LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 17, 2019Suarez, who will go for tests on an ankle injury on Monday, scored a fine individual third for Barca before Betis pulled a goal back through Loren.The night belonged to Messi, though, and the 31-year-old completed yet another memorable hat-trick with a pinpoint lob late on.Rather than take all the plaudits for himself, Messi was quick to praise the tactics of Valverde and the importance of the three points as treble-chasing Barca stretched their lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid.Lionel Messi scores his 51st career hat-trick to continue another remarkable season: 39 goals 37 games#UCL pic.twitter.com/0Us8xy52Gs UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 17, 2019Messi said: They were great goals, but the important thing was getting the three points.It was a very good opportunity to increase the gap, we knew the result from Atletico and we couldnt slip up.The boss read the game very well, tactically it was perfect and we didnt suffer, just the opposite.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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