Messi’s triple strike reminds Guardiola who’s the king of Europe

Lionel Messi yesterday scored a hattrick to inflict a humbling defeat on his former football mentor Pep Guardiola, leading Barcelona to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League.

Messi sped through City’s defence and around former Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo before giving the hosts a 17th-minute lead in a Group C match that both teams finished with 10 men.

It only got worse for Bravo, who was sent off in the 53rd minute for using his hands to block a shot outside the area after his poor pass gifted the ball to Luis Suarez.

Messi struck again in the 61st and 69th to take his total to 89 goals in Europe’s top club competition. The Argentina forward is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 98.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men after substitute Jeremy Mathieu was shown a second yellow card in the 73rd, but Neymar still rounded off the win from a pass by Messi. The Brazil striker scored moments after he had missed a penalty that Messi had earned.

“We know Barcelona. When they arrive (in the area) their strikers punish you,” Guardiola said. “It’s October. We have lost a match. It’s not a quarterfinal or semifinal. Now we have to analyse what happened and rest . . . we are in the process (of growth).”

Guardiola lost for the second time upon returning to Camp Nou where he established himself as one of the world’s top managers by leading Barcelona to 14 titles from 2008-12. The former Barcelona player coached Bayern Munich when the German side lost 3-0 here in the Champions League semifinals two years ago, when Messi scored twice.

After winning their first 10 matches under Guardiola, City have now gone winless in four games in all competitions.

Barcelona extended their unbeaten run at home in European competition to 18 matches.

Barcelona have nine points, while second-placed City stay on four.

Borussia Moenchengladbach are third with three points after beating Celtic 2-0 in Glasgow.