Liverpool star Steven Gerrard’s reign on top of the World Rating was brief: he was elbowed aside by Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi right after the 28th round of La Liga. Messi now sits on top of the world with 225.94 points, followed by teammate Thierry Henry (217.97 points) and Real Madrid forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar (204.90 points).

Malaga exploded at the seams at the Nou Camp 0:6. Messi and Henry, with a goal each, earned 29.00 rating points each in the match.

Xavi spelled the beginning of horrible things to come for Malaga at the 19th. The midfielder later displayed excellent football, giving three decisive assists in succession. He racked in 29.79 rating points in the game, boosting his rating to 187.37 points.

Barca removed all questions about the winner right in the first half, after Messi, Henry, and Samuel Eto’o added to the score. The Catalans had another two after the pause through Brazilian Danny Alves and Samuel Eto’o. The Cameroonian international collected an incredible 35.00 rating points in the game and has now joined the world Top-23 with 187.13 points. Eto’o is now second only to Malian international Frederic Kanoute from Sevilla, who has 188.45 points.

Real Madrid also won big against Almeria, but coach Juande Ramos’s team scored twice less goals than their Catalan rivals (3:0). Dutch international Klaas Jan Huntelaar had a double, and Brazilian Marcelo added one.