Lionel Messi looked back to his brilliant best as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Montpellier 4-0 on Saturday night.
Messi, 34, scored his first league brace for PSG as the French champions ran out comfortable winners in their penultimate game of the Ligue 1 campaign.
Heading into the match, Messi had managed just four goals in 24 league appearances this season – a major disappointment considering the prolific goalscoring form he had shown during his time at Barcelona.
Devoid of confidence throughout the season, Messi finally threw off the shackles against Montpellier with a performance that will have PSG fans already looking forward to next season.
It took Messi just six minutes to open the scoring.
Advert
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner rounded off a neat team move with a well-placed finish in the bottom corner.
That opener to him to double figures for goals in all competitions this season, and he got his 11th just minutes later.
After latching onto a beautiful outside-of-the-boot pass from Kylian Mbappe, Messi calmly rounded Montpellier goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud before slotting the ball home.
Advert
It was the kind of composed finish that Messi produced so regularly during his time at the Nou Camp, but has largely evaded him since his move to France.
Angel Di Maria added a third for PSG before the Parisians were awarded a penalty on the hour mark, when Mbappe was brought down in the area.
Rather than allowing Messi the chance to score his first PSG hat-trick, Mbappe stepped up to score.
Advert
That goal moved the France international one clear of Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder at the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts.
But despite missing out on a hat-trick, it was a night to remember for Messi, who produced arguably his best performance since joining PSG. Check out his individual highlights below:
PSG supporters will be slightly disappointed that this performance from Messi has come so late in the season.
Advert
But he has another chance to impress when PSG take on Metz in their final game of the league season at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.
PSG will then head into the summer break before beginning the new season with the Trophée des Champions match against Nantes on July 31.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Ligue 1
Rory O'Callaghan