MADRID - Superstar Lionel Messi is on course for a record-breaking goal-scoring season following his sublime hat trick in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Valencia on Sunday.

Argentine international Messi scored three brilliant goals to bamboozle third-placed Valencia and move him on to 22 goals for the season, three ahead of compatriot and Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain at the top of the goalscoring charts.

Higuain also hit a hat trick in Real Madrid's 4-1 win at Valladolid.