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Sublime Messi makes mockery of doubters by driving Barca to dominant derby victory

Fifth in the Ballon d'Or and called out by Pele, the Argentine star sent a message to all his doubters with a star showing on Saturday

Evidently Lionel Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, did not take kindly to being ranked the fifth best player in the world on Monday at the 2018 edition of the awards.

Or perhaps it was comments from Brazilian legend Pele which stung, claiming the Argentine “only shoots with one leg” and “only has one skill”.

Whatever it was, Barca’s No 10 was wound up tightly and Espanyol felt the full force of his fury on Saturday night.