Barca add four stars to their campaign

Lionel Messi struck twice as Barcelona won 4-0 at Levante to remain three points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Lionel Messi struck twice as Barcelona won 4-0 at Levante to remain three points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

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Messi's goals were both laid on by Andres Iniesta who also hit the target himself before supplying Cesc Fabregas for the fourth on Sunday.

The Argentine's brace means he now has 82 goals in 2012, just three short of German legend Gerd Mueller's all-time calendar record set in 1972. He also tops the La Liga charts for the season with 19 goals.Atletico had earlier beaten Sevilla 4-0 to keep pace at the top and go eight points

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ahead of city rivals Real Madrid in third, who had lost 1-0 at Betis on Saturday.

When his replacement Martin Montoya took the pitch it meant Barca's full side had also starred for the club at youth level.

The Catalans' intricate build-up play was comfortably contained by solid defending from the home team in a tight first period. But that did not last long and Messi and Iniesta soon took charge of the proceedings.