Luis Suarez scored a hat trick and Lionel Messi added two more goals as Barcelona made a superb start to its Spanish league title defence by routing Real Betis 6-2 on Saturday.
Suarez, who led scoring in La Liga with 40 goals last season, helped to put the result beyond doubt before halftime and struck twice afterward to complete the demolition.
Even better for the Catalan club, Messi destroyed any hopes of title rivals that a difficult summer could have affected his game.
Messi was found guilty in June of tax fraud in Spain — he is appealing — and lost another Copa America final with Argentina. But he was his normal brilliant self at Camp Nou.
With the score at 1-1, Messi restored Barcelona’s lead for good in the 37th minute with his first of two unstoppable strikes from the edge of the area. He was just as impressive as a playmaker, taking part in setting up three more goals.
“(Messi) is incredible. He is the best player in the world,” Suarez said. “You have to enjoy playing with a player like that.”
Arda Turan had put Barcelona ahead before Real Betis striker Ruben Castro equalized with the first of two goals. Barcelona’s biggest title rivals play their opening matches on Sunday, when Real Madrid visits Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid hosts the promoted Alaves.
For Suarez, the six-goal victory over Betis was a message that Barcelona is still the team to beat. “Barca is always the favourite,” Suarez said. “Today’s game was to show why we have been the champion in recent seasons.”
Before kickoff, Messi and Andres Iniesta received the trophy for last season’s title.
After Iniesta, who is recovering from a leg injury, returned to the stands, Messi got down to helping Barcelona make its first step toward a third straight league crown.
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