Lionel Messi clinched an eighth La Liga title for Barcelona in 11 seasons on Saturday as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at home to Levante.
The Argentine star struck his league-leading 34th goal ofthe campaign after coming off the bench for the second half to help Barca wrapup the title with three games remaining.
Barca hold a nine-point lead over second-placed AtleticoMadrid, but the Catalans cannot be overtaken thanks to their superiorhead-to-head record.
It is Barca’s 26th league title and nudges them closer toReal Madrid’s record of 33 in Spain.
“To win the title with a distance and gap is difficult withthe rivals we have. We’ve done it two years in a row,” Barca coach ErnestoValverde told Movistar.
“We’re happy and to see people enjoying it makes us proud. But we still have challenges ahead.” Valverde initially left Messi on the bench with Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool in mind, but he replaced Philippe Coutinho at the break at the Camp Nou.