Source: Telegraph
Lionel Messi thrilled with Barcelona's Champions League victory over Arsenal
After Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner had given the visiting side the lead at the Nou Camp, Lionel Messi scored a first-half hat-trick and netted a fourth 12 minutes before the final whistle to set up a semi-final tie with Italian rivals Inter Milan later this month. [LNB]With Barcelona now within touching distance of a second consecutive Champions League final, Messi said: "It's a joy, because the team had started badly and ended in a spectacular way and it is a thrill to feel the happiness of the fans. [LNB] Related ArticlesMessi brilliance 'must be seen to be believed''Arsenal can recover from Messi masterclass'Lionel Messi joins four-goal eliteSpanish press verdict: art, fun and 'Messi FC'Debate: Is Lionel Messi the greatest ever?Barcelona 4 Arsenal 1; agg 6-3"I'm very happy. The same as the other day when I scored three. It's always nice to score, especially in important matches. I have to keep on improving. I'm lucky enough to be with a group of players that care about me a lot and say nice things about me."[LNB]He added that the Champions League "is a very important competition" and that Barcelona have before them a "great opportunity to repeat the title."[LNB]Before the showdown with Jose Mourinho's side, however, Messi and Barcelona take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in a match that could decide the Spanish title. [LNB]Looking ahead to the weekend, Messi said: "The important thing is to continue in this way, we have a big game on Saturday. It will be difficult to repeat [what I did today but] the important thing is to win, even if it is 1-0."[LNB]The 22 year-old's goals last night saw him become only the sixth player in the history of the Champions League to score four times in a single match and took his season's goal tally to 39 in all competitions. [LNB]
