After leading Barcelona to Champions League victory against Manchester City at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night Lionel Messi hit back at those that criticised him earlier in the season before celebrating Spanish Father's Day with his family. The Argentina international's girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo posted a picture to her Instagram account on Thursday morning wishing him 'Happy Father's Day'. Roccuzzo and two-year-old son Thiago each planted a kiss on Messi's cheek as the trio posed for a family selfie to mark the occasion. Lionel Messi poses for a family selfie on Thursday to celebrate Spanish Father's Day . Messi taunts the Man City defence on the edge of the penalty area during a classy performance . The night before Messi had produced another stunning performance and brilliantly set up Ivan Rakitic to score the only goal of the game as Barca reached the Champions League quarter-final for a record eighth consecutive season. Earlier in the season, however, Messi was subjected to intense scrutiny as he and Barcelona struggled for form. He was beaten to the Ballon d'Or trophy by Cristiano Ronaldo as rumours of transfer surfaced. But any concerns that Messi's star was fading have well and truly been dispelled since the turn of the year and, after the City game, he was quick to remind his detractors of the criticism he received. Messi joins in the celebrations with Rakitic and Luis Suarez of Barcelona's first-half goal at the Nou Camp . Messi tries to take the ball around the onrushing Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart who makes the save . 'A short while ago I was supposed to be a disaster, it's tricky to go from being a disaster to the best form of ones career,' Messi told Canal+ after the game. During Wednesday's last-16 second leg, although Messi ran the City defence ragged, he met his match against Joe Hart. The England No 1 produced one of the great Champions League goalkeeping performances to thwart Messi with several fine stops. Had it not been for Hart's heroics it could have been a humiliating defeat for Manuel Pellegrini's side and Messi, in typically sporting fashion, was quick to congratulate him. Hart thwarts Messi again as the Manchester City goalkeeper kept his side in the game . Argentina international Messi and Hart acknowledge each other's performances with a hand shake . 'He saved everything. We did all we could to score more goals but the keeper played fantastically well and I’d like to congratulate him. The most important thing was to make it through.' Barcelona now turn their attention to the small matter of the Clasico on Sunday with a chance to open up a four-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga, but Messi is expecting a tough match. 'One has to respect them and their current form makes them more dangerous. I wouldn’t say that they’re not in good shape or lacking form. On an individual basis they have great players. We’ll just try and play our game.'
Barcelona beat Manchester City 1-0 to progress in Champions League . Lionel Messi stole the show with a mesmerising performance at Nou Camp . Messi was subjected to criticism for his performances earlier in the season . The forward hit back at his critics after turning his form around in 2015 . Messi then celebrated Spanish Father's Day with his son and girlfriend . READ: Is Messi the greatest player you've ever seen? READ: Messi nutmegs James Milner (and leaves him on his backside)