Lionel Messi Tops La Liga Rankings

 

 

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has topped the Sky Sports La Liga Power Rankings for a second week running.

 

Messi scored at hat-trick against Espanyol a fortnight ago and assisted Paulinho’s match-winner during a  2-1 win at Getafe, while team-mate Jordi Alba slipped five places to No 8.

 

Real Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi also held his runner-up spot, despite  suffering a 3-1 defeat to his former employers Real Madrid  on Sunday.

 

Villareal duo Cedric Bakambu (No 3, up 209 places) and Samu Castillejo (No 6, up 35 places) were also among the top performers, with Bakambu  scoring twice to help his side ease past Alaves  with a 3-0 win. Jan Oblak kept his second successive clean sheet for  Atletico Madrid during a 1-0 win against Malaga, while midfielder Koke dropped three places to No 7.

 

Real Betis winger Joaquin soared 102 places up the chart, breaking the deadlock against Deportivo and hitting a match-winning second to  secure a 2-1 victory. Sevilla’s Clement Lenglet (No 9, up six places) and Sergio Rico (No 10, up four places) both entered the top 10 following a  1-0 win at Girona.

 

The  Power Rankings methodology  reflects a player’s performance over the last five matchdays by awarding points to players for 32 different stats. Only games from this season will be factored before matchday five.