Soccer-Magnificent Messi stars as Barca rout Celta to stay top

By Richard Martin

BARCELONA, March 4 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi was in inspired form as champions Barcelona hammered Celta Vigo 5-0 on Saturday, recording a fourth straight league victory which keeps them top of La Liga.

Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute after a stunning solo run and then laid on a pass for Neymar to double the lead in the 40th with an irresistible chip.

Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti added to the scoring in the second half, the latter netting for the first time for the club, as Barca produced one of their best performances of the season in their first game since Luis Enrique revealed he would not be continuing as coach after the summer.

Messi then capped his virtuoso display with a darting run forward into the box past two defenders and a classy low finish, rounding off a rampant Barca display reminiscent of their 6-1 thrashing of Celta last year.

Barca top the La Liga standings on 60 points, one ahead of Real Madrid, who eased to a 4-1 win at Eibar earlier on Saturday, although Zinedine Zidane's side have a game in hand.

Sevilla, third on 55 points, visit Alaves on Monday. (Reporting by Richard Martin, editing by Neil Robinson)