Lionel Messi proves why he deserved Ballon d’Or after breaking Ronaldo’s record in La Liga clash ▷ Kenya News

And just days after clinching the prestigious award, the Argentine superstar put on the sort of performance that won him the accolade as he found the back of the net three times against Mallorca on Saturday, December 7.

Whereas the three goals helped inspire Barcelona to a 5-2 win after goals from Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez, it also saw set a new record previously held by Ronaldo.

The hat-trick was Messi’s 53rd in his career and 35th in the La Liga – meaning the Barca skipper has now scored one more than Ronaldo who scored 34 during his time at Real Madrid.

The 32-year-old scored his first of the evening in 17th minute, as he curled a stunner from outside the area to double Barca’s lead after Antoine Griezmann’s early opener.

Mallorca, however, pulled one back in the 35th minute through Ante Budimir, before Messi restoring the Catalans’ two-goal advantage a few minutes later.

The Argentina talisman completed his hat-trick in the final 10 minutes of the encounter as the hosts marched to a momentous win.

The treble took his La Liga tally for the season to 12 goals, deposing Karim Benzema as the league’s top scorer.