Barcelona 3 Las Palmas 0: Messi Brace seals points at empty camp NOU

The visitors' jerseys were embroidered with the date and the Spanish flag, a move announced in a statement earlier on Sunday by Las Palmas in opposition to Catalan separatism.

Sergi Roberto, Barcelona's Spain international who has also played for Catalonia's representative side, had the first attempt of the match – Leandro Chichizola in the Las Palmas goal holding a low drive.

The surreal nature of the occasion appeared to stifle both teams in the early exchanges before Chichizola pawed a Messi free-kick away from his top corner and got up sharply to deny Luis Suarez on the rebound.

Calleri thudded a shot against of the post following a 43rd-minute cutback from the excellent Oussama Tannane and Barcelona's frustration was underlined by Busquets and Jordi Alba collecting bookings for dissent in the closing moments of the first half.

Valverde turned to Rakitic and Iniesta at the restart and the midfield duo instantly lifted the flagging hosts.

Chichizola kept out another Messi free-kick and pushed Rakitic's dipping effort over the bar, although he was culpable from the resulting corner – coming out to his near post as Busquets got there first and headed in.

The goalkeeper got back on track by thwarting Messi again shortly afterwards and Luis Suarez was booked for simulation in the 52nd minute, going over under Chichizola's challenge when it appeared easier to score.

Unperturbed, the Uruguayan then darted in behind the Las Palmas defence to cause havoc in the area, although Messi planted a header wide from his eventual cross.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner seemed to be looking at a fruitless outing as another attempt was deflected past the post but he classily made the points safe.

Denis Suarez's 70th-minute throughball was inch perfect and Messi majestically danced around Chichizola to net a 10th LaLiga goal of the season.

There was more to come from Messi as he continued a darting run for Rakitic and Luis Suarez to work possession back to him for a trademark finish 13 minutes from time – another inevitable moment of brilliance from Barcelona's talisman on a day where his on-field heroics were forced to take a backseat in this football-mad city.