Barcelona suffered the agony of seeing their two-year reign as Spanish champions come to an end on Thursday when they slumped to a home defeat against Osasuna and Real Madrid beat Villarreal, but Quique Setien's team were looking to end the league season on a high as they traveled to struggling Alaves.

READ MORE: 'We were WEAK': Furious Lionel Messi blasts Barcelona after home defeat as rivals Real Madrid bask in La Liga title win

The visitors got off to a quick start, rattling the woodwork three times – including a left-footed effort from the edge of the box from Messi – before they made the breakthrough in the 24th minute through teenage sensation Fati.

Messi was the orchestrator, dinking a cross into the box from the right – via a slight deflection – which Fati swept home for the 17-year-old's seventh league goal of the season.

It was a milestone for Messi, who recorded a 21st assist of the current La Liga campaign – moving him one ahead of former teammate Xavi as the outright record-holder.

It wasn't long before Messi himself got on the scoresheet, collecting a Riqui Puig pass and firing low into the corner in the 34th minute for his 24th goal of the season. 

The strike edged Messi further in front of French hitman Karim Benzema in the Pichichi Trophy stakes for La Liga top-scorer, with the Real Madrid forward on 21 strikes.