Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was delighted with Lionel Messi after his hat-trick in victory over Malaga.

The treble took Messi's goal tally for the season to 22.

"You already know my opinion. His biggest asset his is constancy, to be important in every match for so long ... His life is football," smiled Guardiola.

"Scoring these goals will help him in the upcoming matches."