Mata believes Messi can inspire Barcelona to a treble

Babalola Tomiwa

Spain and Manchester United midfielder, Juan Mata, has expressed confidence that Barcelona's Lionel Messi can help the Catalans challenge for the treble.

Messi, scored three goals on Sunday when they breezed past Levante 5-0 in a la liga game and they are second on the Spanish league log.

Real Madrid leads the park with one point in La Liga, following Carlo Ancelotti's side's 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna, but Mata feels Messi can inspire the club in the run-in to the season.

"Real Madrid won a very important game after a complicated week. In those cases, a victory is the best remedy and also helps to recover some energy with a view to the decisive weeks of the season," Mata wrote on his official personal website.

"Barca enjoyed [themselves even] more though, once again displaying an extraordinary offensive power. Messi seems to be reaching his peak of the season right now.

"And if we add up the contribution from some other fantastic players, they are potential candidates to win every single competition."

Mata then went on to have his say on the battle for third spot and expects a tight affair between Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla.

"Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid were defeated away from home by a good Celta de Vigo. Valencia won and so did Sevilla; I think the race for the Champions League spots is going to be very interesting."

Irrespective of their loss, Atletico remain third in La Liga with 50 points from 23 games, with Valencia in fourth ahead of fifth-placed Sevilla. Goal