Masterful Messi extends lead atop European form rankings

Another magic display from Lionel Messi moved the Argentine well clear atop the player form rankings in Europe’s top five leagues, though the Barcelona star has a new closest challenger to that spot.

The 30-year-old scored a match-winning hat-trick as the blaugrana extended their lead in LaLiga, with the Madrid derby ending in stalemate, to move level with Mohamed Salah (eighth) on 29 league goals for the season.

Compatriot Paulo Dybala also bagged a treble as Juventus made hard work of a clash with Benevento in Serie A, with the forward a new entry onto the leaderboard having now qualified for inclusion*.

Elsewhere Antoine Griezmann drops two places to fourth despite scoring the leveller against Real Madrid on Sunday, with Remy Cabella up into third having come so close to sealing a victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

The former Newcastle man netted Saint-Etienne’s opener against the Ligue 1 leaders before an injury time own goal from Mathieu Debuchy earned the visitors a share of the spoils. Cabella has now scored four goals and registered one assist in his last three matches as les Verts extended an impressive 10-game unbeaten streak.

The biggest climbers this week, however, are Lyon centre-back Marcelo - who scored twice in a 5-0 win over Metz - and Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen - who also bagged a brace as Spurs secured a narrow victory at Stoke.

* To qualify players must have appeared in at least two of their club’s last three league matches, and at least six of the last eight.