Lionel Messi's Insane Five-Goal Haul Against Bayer Leverkusen Was A 10/10 Display

Lionel Messi scored a staggering FIVE goals in a single game for the second time in his career on Sunday night in a thrashing of Estonia.

Fresh from leading Argentina to a Finalissima victory over Italy at Wembley, Messi hit a 47-minute hat-trick in a friendly against Estonia at the El Sadar Stadium.

But Messi went and helped himself to another two goals in the 71st and 76th minute, scoring all FIVE all of Argentina's goals as they stretched their unbeaten run to 33 games.

The masterclass took the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's career goals tally to 769 and left manager Lionel Scaloni lost for words.

But it isn't the only time Messi has served up a ridiculous five-goal haul. In 2012, he hit a quintuple of goals for Barcelona against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16 second leg.

The Blaugrana had beaten the German outfit 3-1 away from home in the first leg and then utterly humiliated them 7-1 at the Nou Camp courtesy of a Messi madness.

Image: PA

The Barca No.10 was on target in the 25th, 43rd, 59th, 58th and 85th minute, while youngster Cristian Tello bagged a brace.

It was the first time a player had scored five goals in the Champions League and Messi received a second 10/10 rating from L'Equipe.

Image: PA

His first had come two years prior, when he put four past Arsenal and prompted Arsene Wenger to brand him a "PlayStation player".

Messi's catalogue of world-class displays is longer than most players but the unstoppable performance to sink Leverkusen on 7 March is right up there.

Manager Pep Guardiola was stunned by what Messi did and simply had to proclaim him as the greatest player of all-time.

"He's the best [ever], there is no other like him,'' Guardiola said post-match, as per BBC.

"The numbers speak for themselves. One day he'll score six. We'll never see a player like him again.

"We witnessed one of Messi's special nights tonight, it's a gift and I will always be able to say that I coached him.

"The only credit I can take is that I always put him in the team and we just try to make sure he gets the ball. After that our task is done.

"The throne belongs to him and only he will decide when he wants to relinquish it."

Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Argentina, Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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