Lionel

Messi scored twice as Barcelona closed out its Spanish league campaign with a

5-0 rout at Alavés on Sunday.

The goals moved Messi closer to becoming the first

player to finish as the league’s top scorer in seven different seasons. He has

25 goals, four more than striker Karim Benzema for champion Real Madrid, which

visits relegation-threatened Leganés later Sunday.

Ansu Fati, Luis Suárez and Nelson Semedo also scored

for Barcelona, which had already secured second place behind Madrid.

Fati opened the scoring in the 24th minute, Messi

added to the lead 10 minutes later and Suárez closed the first-half scoring in

the 44th. Semedo got on the board in the 57th and Messi in the 75th to help

Barcelona rebound from a 2-1 home loss to Osasuna.

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Related story:

Messi picks up where he left off as Barca beat Real Mallorca 4-0[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]

“Today things were different,” Messi said. “The team

showed better attitude and commitment. It was an important step forward for us

ahead of what’s left in the season.”

Barcelona now turns its focus to its August 8 home

game against Napoli in the round of 16 of the Champions League.