Barcelona stopper Victor Valdes has declared after the Valencia game that teammate Lionel Messi could become the greatest player of all time.

Messi scored a terrific hat-trick against Valencia and showed everyone why he is currently considered to be the best player in the world.

Speaking to Marca the day after the match, Valdes stated, "Messi is already the best player in the world, but he could become the greatest footballer in history.

"But I don't believe that the team is dependent upon him because we have other players of great quality."

Valdes commented on his own vital save when the team were just a goal to the good, "I do not think that my save was decisive, but it was a factor that allowed us to be lucky enough not to fail."

About his own ambitions to go to the World Cup with Spain, Valdes said, "If the moment were to arrive, I would go with the highest of ambitions and respect. But it doesn't depend on me."

Lionel Messi  was the difference maker in a toughly fought contest at the Camp Nou, scoring a second half hat-trick as Barcelona won by three goals to nil.

The first half illustrated the threat posed by the visitors who are considered to be the third best team in La Liga. Valencia were tough in the challenge and gave Barcelona and Messi very little space in which to maneuver.

There were several chances in the first half, several falling to Messi, as both teams crafted in openings intelligently.

The second half belonged to Messi. He dominated the game and proved his label as the world's best, re-iterated this past week by Castrol's football rankings. His first goal came in the 56th minute. Messi had space outside of the box and in typical fashion, he dribbled and skipped three challenges to make his way into the box. One-on-one against Valencia goalkeeper Cesar, Messi slotted intelligently into the near post, taking Barcelona deservedly ahead. It was a wonderful individual goal.

Barcelona's advantage was increased on the 69th minute. Maduro brought down the livewire Messi to receive a second yellow card, and was subsequently sent off.

Messi's start shined even brighter in the final 10 minutes of the game. In the 81st minute, Messi was picked out by a great cross field cross. His control was sublime, putting the ball in his stride. Messi then cut inside the defender and unleashed a fantastic curling shot inside the far post to send Barcelona clear.

Just 2 minutes later, Messi completed his hat-trick. Henry picked him out brilliantly. Messi raced clear on goal and put the ball through Cesar's legs with a little dink.

Messi went off in the 87th minute to a standing ovation. The Blaugrana faithful sang Messi's name, hailing their hero and the current best player in world football.

Lionel Messi was once again the hero, rescuing a point for Barcelona against a spirited Almeria side, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Messi, who has been sensational this season, scored another two goals to become once again the leading goalscorer in La Liga.

The game was never going to be easy for Barcelona. The home side Almeria started positively. This positivity was converted into a goal in just 12 minutes. Following a corner, Domingo rose above everyone, including Carles Puyol, to head home a brilliant finish.

Messi equalised just before half time, on the 42 minute mark. It was another stroke of genius from the young Argentine. Barcelona were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box. Messi stepped up to take it and dinked a lob over the wall which landed in the bottom corner. Lionel Messi was visibly delighted and will go down as another of his great strikes.

In the 57th minute, Almeria were ahead again. Following a pulsating break, the ball was crossed into the area which Puyol turned into his own goal. It was disappointing for the Catalan native and took Almeria ahead once again.

Things went from bad to worse for Barcelona 3 minutes later. Talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who hasn't been scoring many lately, was dismissed for what was deemed violent conduct, reducing the visitors to 10-men.

However, Messi was in no mood to give up. The ball was crossed into the Almeria penalty area and following a poor defensive clearance, Lionel Messi reacted quickest to stab home his second goal.

It ended 2-2 and was a reasonable result given the circumstances for Barcelona. Messi was once again the star of the show and by a distance the best player on the pitch. Following their 3-2 victory over Sevilla, Real Madrid are now top of La Liga after Barcelona dropped 2 points.

Barcelona edged an entertaining encounter with Malaga in La Liga to take another three points, winning by two goals to one.

Malaga proved to be tough opponents and were resilient throughout the game. Finally their armor was chinked in the 68th minute. Pedro Rodriguez, this year's young star, picked up the ball from 35 yards out. He dribbled a few yards and unleashed a stunning long strike which ended up in the back of the net.

Valdo equalised for Malaga after they sprang the Barcelona offside trap in the 81st minute. He made no mistake against the advances of Victor Valdes and looked to have fired Malaga to a point.

Lionel Messi had other ideas. In the 84th minute, he put Barcelona ahead. Xavi played an exquisite through ball to Dani Alves. Alves was clearly onside, despite the reactions by the Malaga defense. Unselfishly, he tapped the ball across to Messi who had an easy tap in. That is now 17 league goals for Messi this season who is joint top scorer with David Villa.