Rivaldo's Bicycle Kick and 8 Other Big Valencia vs. Barcelona Moments

Barcelona travel to Valencia for their next La Liga fixture and it promises to be every bit as good as any of the games between the sides previously.

Over the years we have been privileged to enjoy some of the very best moments in La Liga history via the players of Los Che and La Blaugrana.

Let's take a look at some of them...

That Bicycle Kick

Just about the best goal in these fixtures, for a multitude of reasons.

The reaction from the presidential box told you everything about just how important this goal was for the Catalans.

Valencia arrived at Camp Nou knowing just a draw would see them qualify for the following season's Champions League.

In order for Barcelona to qualify, they had to win. No other result would be good enough.

With injury time beckoning, and Valencia coasting, no one could've imagined what would happen next as Frank de Boer floated a delicate ball goalward.

Taking the ball on his chest, Rivaldo succeeded in guiding the trajectory upwards to give him the reach required to hit a stunning overhead volley with the ball at the top of its arc.

An extremely difficult skill, but one which was executed perfectly.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game.

Rivaldo's Other 2 Goals in the Same Game

The quality of Rivaldo's strike to win the game that took Barca into Champions League qualification often overshadows the other two that the Brazilian scored to make up his hat-trick.

They too were out-of-this-world strikes of which he should be rightly proud.

A perfectly placed long-range free-kick got the ball rolling for the Catalans and his 22nd goal of the campaign came courtesy of a swerving low strike that deceived Santiago Canizares in the Valencia goal.

Has there ever been a better hat-trick scored than this?

Lionel Messi's 2010 Hat-Trick

Lionel Messi has written his name large over this fixture time and again.

In 2010, his hat-trick lit up the Camp Nou in what proved to be a battle royale against a very stubborn and skillful Valencia side.

The first of his three was the pick of the bunch. 

Picking up the ball outside of the area, he motored past three defenders, including current Blaugrana Jeremy Mathieu, with ease and placed the ball expertly in the corner.

His other two arrived within a minute of each other and confirmed his status at the time as the best in the world.

Mendieta's Volley

It may have come against Barcelona but Gaizka Mendieta's thunderous volley simply has to be on this list.

Nonchalantly waiting on the edge of the box, there is still plenty for the Valencia man to do as he receives the ball, including having two men on the line as well as the keeper to beat.

Yet there was absolutely no second thought or hesitation in his mind as to what he was going to do.

As the ball dropped, it was dispatched into the top corner with aplomb.

The 6-0 Hammering

It's not often the bigger teams in La Liga, with respect to the others, take a beating.

But that's exactly what happened to Valencia on May 4, 2008.

Barcelona were simply unstoppable and the scoreline certainly didn't flatter them. Lionel Messi started the rout from the spot in the fifth minute and a low, long-range effort from Xavi Hernandez just three minutes later put the Catalans in the box seat.

Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry combined beautifully to take the game away from the visitors before half time with Henry's second after half time a curling shot that was right out of the top drawer.

Two goals from young Bojan Krkic were just reward for all round team play of some note and it remains one of Los Che's heaviest-ever defeats against Barca.

Lionel Messi's 2013 Hat-Trick

Messi's hat-trick in 2013 came at Mestalla in a first-half masterclass which showcased his enviable talents to their fullest.

In a foot race to get to the ball for the opener, the Argentinian's quick-thinking body swerve deceived keeping Diego Alves allowing Messi to poke home into an unguarded net despite the close attentions of defenders.

His second was typical Messi, receiving the ball before outstripping the defence for pace and placing it in the opposite corner beyond the reach of Alves.

The third may have been a simple tap-in from a Neymar assist but it proved to be the match-winner.

Cesc Fabregas' Delightful Chip

The 2012 Copa Del Rey tie provided the backdrop to this exquisite goal from Cesc Fabregas.

Lionel Messi found himself in the unusual position of a deeper-lying right midfielder, but in a sign of his genius, had the vision to play an inch-perfect 60-yard pass right in the path of the on-rushing Fabregas.

Still running away from the goal, and being pursued by the closing defender, Cesc had the presence of mind to flick the ball with the outside of his right foot over Diego Alves and in.

Beautiful.

Messi Grabs Four in 2012

The third time we see Messi on the list and again it's well-deserved.

Trailing 1-0 to an opportunist Pablo Piatti goal, Messi took over and the home side were a goal to the good by half time.

As Valencia tried to get a foothold back in the game, Barca and Messi took advantage as he grabbed his sixth hat-trick of the season.

The creme-de-la-creme however was a stunning chipped effort for his fourth. Actions speak louder than words so enjoy it again above.

Pep Guardiola Slaps Fabregas

One of the more comical moments in this fixture but certainly a talking point.

As Cesc Fabregas came off the pitch to be substituted, he appeared to say something to Pep Guardiola.

It's still unclear if this was in jest or serious, but judging by Pep's reaction, he was none too happy.

The altercation overshadowed the on-pitch entertainment at the time which was unfortunate.