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La Liga Fans’ Top 5: Veteran Aritz Aduriz and Barcelona icon Lionel Messi both scores hat-tricks

Sport360 staff

16:38 04/03/2016

Each week, Sport360 will be bring you the best five players from La Liga, as chosen by you the supporters through our ValoraFutbol fan ratings tool.

YOU have direct influence on who appears in each Top Five so be sure to rate each weekend.

1) ARITZ ADURIZ (ATHLETIC BILBAO) – 9.25

The San Mames cult hero rolled back the years and proved at the age of 35 he is still one of the most potent finishers in La Liga as he scored a hat-trick in the Basque side’s crushing 4-1 victory over Deportivo.

And in doing so, Aduriz took his goals tally to 30 in all competitions for the season – even prompting speculation he could make an international return for Spain at Euro 2016.

Aduriz, whose one international cap to his name came way back in 2010, struck before half-time and added two more in the second period – heading home Markel Susaeta’s cross and then rounding his night off with a low drive in the penalty area.

2) LIONEL MESSI (BARCELONA) – 8.65

The Argentine legend hit a blistering hat-trick, his 35th in a Barcelona jersey, to extend the Catalan giants’ unbeaten run to a record 35 matches in all competitions.

Messi has been in sparkling form in 2016 – hitting 20 goals in 16 appearances and was in lethal form as Barcelona thrashed 9-man Rayo Vallecano 5-1 away from home to firm up their grip on the La Liga title.

The 28-year-old combined brilliantly with Neymar to tuck home his first and displayed his supreme speed, dribbling and finishing skills with two more in the second-half.

3) CHARLY MUSONDA (REAL BETIS) – 7.59

The on-loan Chelsea star was in fine form as he picked up an assist in Real Betis’ 3-0 away win at Espanyol.

Musonda, who joined the Blues in 2012 from Anderlecht along with his older brothers Tika and Lamisha, has yet to break into the first-team picture at Stamford Bridge but is impressing in La Liga.

The 19-year-old set-up German Pezzella for Betis’ second goal at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat with a wonderful individual curling delivery into the penalty area.

4) GERMAN PEZZELA (REAL BETIS) – 7.43

The Argentine centre-back, who is now starting to hold down a regular first-team berth at the Seville-based club since arriving in Spain last summer, had Musonda to thank for his goal in the rout at Espanyol.

Pezzela, who previously played with River Plate in Argentina, stooped at the front post to finish off a stunning attack and settle the all important three points.

5) SERGIO ALVAREZ (CELTA VIGO) – 7.33

Celta Vigo kept themselves firmly in contention for a Europa League berth with a credible goalless draw at home to in-form Villarreal, with Alvarez being the star following a string of vital saves.

The 29-year-old shot-stopper was on hand to deny the Yellow Submarine on several occasions.

 

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