The Argentine attacker set up three goals in a Liga match for the first time, added a superb strike of his own and saw a spot kick saved in a performance only he could produce.
It is a potential quiz question for the future. Which Barcelona player set up three goals, scored and missed a penalty against Getafe in March 2016? The answer, however, will be too easy. Because it could only be Lionel Messi.
The Argentine attacker produces so much sublime stuff for the Catalan club that his spot kick struggles in recent times are something of a mystery. Not that it matters much, however, and it shows the watching world that even the game's greatest player is prone to human error, giving us the occasional glimpse that he is really a mere mortal after all.
Messi racked up three assists in a Liga game for the first time as Barca battered Getafe 6-0 on Saturday and it could have been more as the 28-year-old found Neymar time and time again with some brilliant balls into the Brazilian's path all game.
He was also on the score sheet himself, blasting home from outside the box with a low drive. Earlier, he had seen his spot kick saved in that same corner by Vicente Guaita. If anything, however, it merely motivates him to play even better instead of affecting him negatively, and the five-time Ballon d'or winner came close to a stunning solo effort late on after a remarkable run into the box. Forget the penalty — this was another Messi masterclass.
The Argentine now has 23 goals in just 18 games in 2016 and 12 assists in that time, while Neymar's double against Getafe means all three of Barca's MSN trident have surpassed 20 league goals in the current campaign.
Luis Suarez was rested ahead of Barca's Champions League clash against Arsenal at Camp Nou on Wednesday and the Uruguayan may also sit out the league game versus Villarreal next weekend because a booking in that match would see the striker suspended for the visit of Real Madrid in the Clasico on April 2.
In any case, Barca seems unstoppable at the moment and Messi's increased generosity — a big feature of his game since the arrival of Luis Enrique as coach — sees the Blaugrana chasing a second straight treble after the club won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League in 2014-15.
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