MADRID (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick as champions Barcelona nudged Real Madrid off the top of the table crushing Tenerife 5-0 away on Sunday for their first victory of 2010. Barca, who went into the late kickoff temporarily trailing Real, who had won 2-0 at home to Real Mallorca, made a slow start and might have been behind.

They were made to pay as World Player of the Year Messi scored the opener in the 36th minute after getting a pass from Bojan Krkic inside the area.Messi's free kick saw Carles Puyol head home the second in the 44th minute and on the stroke of halftime a move involving Andres Iniesta and Krkic set up Messi for the simplest of third goals.

"I'm happy about my goals but the important thing is that we have achieved another victory and produced an attractive game," said Messi. "Yes, the result was very nice, it is important to enjoy our play and we have done so today." Messi also had praise for young teammate Bojan Krkic. "He's doing a great job. Today he made three assists and I am happy for him, he deserves it."