Lionel Messi, despite Barcelona’s increasing problems, is unstoppable. Neither the club’s transfer troubles or injuries to key players seem to have affected the forward as he continued his rich vein of form this season to net four goals in the 6-1 rout of Eibar. In the process, he crossed the 300 goals at Camp Nou and netted his 43rd career hat-trick.

New transfer Paulinho and Denis Suarez also netted for the second consecutive game as Barca stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points over Real Madrid, who host Real Betis on Wednesday.

Messi’s four-goal fest was the toast of football fans on Twitter as they praised his skill and marvelled at yet another hat-trick. Have a look:

First, the numbers

A few digs at his rivals did the rounds

And lots and lots of praise

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