Barcelona president Joan Laporta has showered Lionel Messi with accolades after the latter's display against Valencia.

Messi scored a sublime hat-trick as Barcelona beat a strong Valencia side 3-0 at the Nou Camp to keep the pressure on league leaders Real Madrid.

The match was evenly poised at the interval but Messi's combination play with Thierry Henry proved to be the difference between the two sides in the second half.

Speaking to the Spanish media after the match, Laporta said: "He is a genius, and it was great, spectacular. Today he deserves all the praise that he will get, because the game was very tight, but he has managed to break the midfield."

"Valencia have played very well, we have had to suffer before we got the win, but this is a testament to a player who is a genius, but who remains a respectful character. A talent who is a great example for all children, Messi is a reference, an example for all."

Laporta also cautioned against complacency during Barcelona's upcoming Champions League round-of-16 second leg clash against Stuttgart on Wednesday. The president said Barca needed to learn lessons from Real Madrid's defeat to unfancied Lyon last week.

The defending champions will head into the tie with the score at 1-1.

"We must act with respect, and Lyon's win shows that this is a competitive tournament."

"We must be very, very careful that this does not happen to us," said Laporta.