Lionel Messi put in a stunning performance and scored a hat-trick as Barcelona cruised to victory by five goals to nil against a deflated Tenerife side.

Messi took a while for the cogs to start turning, but when they did, he exploded into the game and showed the world why he is the world's best player at the moment. In the 36th minute, following some great team play, Bojan cut cross a terrific pass to Messi who curled the ball with his left foot into the goal with relative ease.

Barcelona's lead was doubled just before half time. Messi was once again the architect, whipping in a delightful cross from a free kick, which Puyol headed home.

Barcelona increased their lead before the interval. Some great play by Andres Iniesta led to Bojan being through on goal. He intelligently cut across another sumptuous pass, which Messi converted with ease, into an open goal.

Barcelona grabbed their fourth goal and Messi's hat-trick goal in the 75th minute. Bojan was involved again, laying the ball to Messi, who from outside the area lofted a superb shot which arched above the goalkeeper and landed in the top corner. It was a stunning trademark Messi strike.

Barcelona scored a fifth late on through some good work by Pedro as they saw out the game in style.

The match undoubtedly belonged today to Lionel Messi who showed the world why he was 2009's best player by a distance.