Barcelona star Lionel Messi paid tribute to departing coach Pep Guardiola with a four-goal salvo in their 4-0 win over Espanyol.

In Guardiola's final home game in charge before he stands down to make way for his assistant Tito Vilanova, he received a parting gift from arguably the most influential player over his four-year reign.

Messi was again magnificent as he moved on to 72 goals in what has been a remarkable season - 50 of which have come in the Primera Division. He now has 251 in 327 Barcelona appearances.