Espanyol boss Sergio has branded Barcelona's Lionel Messi "a football legend".

The Argentine scored his 21st La Liga hat-trick on Sunday as Barca came from behind to thump Espanyol 5-1 at the Camp Nou.

"We know everything about Messi and what he offers. He'll be a football legend, and for Barcelona it's a luxury to have a player like him," he told reporters.

"I'm very sad about the result, first for the players and then the fans."

Messi has scored three hat-tricks in his last four games for Barca.