Earlier this month, Barcelona were on course to complete a treble but their 2018-19 campaign has ended in pretty disappointing fashion.Ernesto Valverde's side easily retained the La Liga title but capitulated in the Champions League, losing 4-0 to Liverpool at Anfield, and they lost the Copa del Rey final on Saturday too.Valencia lifted their first trophy since 2008 by beating Barca 2-1, and even though Lionel Messi scored, goals from Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo were enough for Marcelino's men.Messi was joined by Sergi Roberto and Philippe Coutinho in attack instead of the injured Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele, and his teammates constantly looked to him to provide magic.The Barca captain was unable to stop Valencia's triumph and a certain Francis Coquelin (remember him?) managed to get the better of the 31-year-old twice in impressive fashion.

Coquelin stars in Copa del Rey final win

Coquelin joined Valencia back in January 2018 for a reported £12 million after a decade-long stay at Arsenal, where he won three trophies and made 160 appearances.

He joined Valencia skipper Dani Parejo in central midfield in the final at Real Betis' stadium and went head-to-head with world-class talents like Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.

Coquelin didn't exactly establish himself as an all-time Arsenal great during his time in north London but everyone will appreciate the way he dealt with Messi in the clips below.

Coquelin bosses Messi in Barca 1-2 Valencia

Firstly, after seeing Messi control the ball on the edge of the box, Coquelin immediately ran towards the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and tackled him.

The 28-year-old midfielder then challenged Malcom and Messi again before a collision with Carles Alena left him on the ground - but not for long.

Messi brilliantly span away from Geoffrey Kondogbia and that prompted Coquelin to get up, track back with all his life and crunch into another sliding challenge.

If that wasn't enough, when Barcelona were desperately searching for an equaliser in stoppage time, Coquelin produced a moment Messi himself would've been proud of.

When Messi closed him down at the side of the pitch, the Frenchman popped the ball past him, passed it to a teammate and left the 31-year-old Argentine on the floor in the process.

It's not everyday you can say that you got the better of Leo Messi, so we're certain that Coquelin is enjoying every second of his fine performance in the Copa del Rey final.

What are YOUR thoughts on Coquelin getting the better of Messi in the Copa del Rey final? Have YOUR say in the comments box below!