Barcelona have been crowned La Liga champions once again after Lionel Messi's strike helped the Catalans to a 1-0 win over Levante on Saturday. 

Ernesto Valverde's men went into the game knowing that only a victory would allow them to wrap up the title this weekend. 

Atletico Madrid had kept the heat up on the Blaugrana with their own defeat of Valladolid, to move within six points of the leaders prior to kick-off.

But Barca made no mistake as Messi's goal proved the difference at Camp Nou and confirmed a second successive Liga title. 

The Argentine netted after 61 minutes in Saturday's clash to finally break the Valencians' resolve, having been denied on multiple occasions by goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez. 

Now nine points clear of Atletico with three games left to play, Barca's superior head-to-head record means that the Colchoneros' slim chances of wresting the title away have now been extinguished. 

The newly crowned champions have lost just two games so far domestically, to Leganes and Betis, scoring 86 goals and conceding 32.

Messi in turn took his personal tally for the 2018-19 league season to 34 goals, 13 clear of nearest Pichichi challengers Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez. 

La Liga represents the first step in a possible third treble for Barcelona, who capitalised on a disappointing season for rivals Real Madrid to lead the race from start to finish this term.

Source: goal.com

BDST: 0937 HRS, APR 28, 2019
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