Barcelona hat-trick hero Messi: Henry changed game

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi struck a superb second-half hat-trick in yesterday's 3-0 defeat of Valencia.

Following an evenly-disputed first period in which Valencia gave as good as they got, Messi took centre stage with a spectacular treble.

The winger beat three Valencia players to give Pep Guardiola's side the lead after 56 minutes, before adding two more fine efforts in the closing stages - both set up by substitute Thierry Henry - after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men following the sending-off of Hedwiges Maduro.

Messi said afterwards: "We have greatly improved in the second half, we pressed and kept the ball. Even though at 1-0 Valdes kept us alive with his to stop from [Nikola] Zigic.

"The first half took a lot out of us, we allowed the game to suit them and their counterattacks. In the second half we improved. The first goal was the most important for what it meant to the game.

"In the locker room we know that we are all important. Henry has really helped with his work, his desire, his pressure. With him on the field the game changed."