Lionel Messi has finally returned to the field and he did it with two goals in 30 minutes.
The Argentine forward made his return to competitive play after spending nearly two months on the sidelines due to injury and scored a brace in Barcelona’s 4-0 Copa del Rey victory against Getafe.
It was Messi’s first appearance for Barcelona since picking up an injury on 10 November and the FIFA Ballon d”or nominee was happy to play again.
“I'm very happy for the victory and coming back to the field with my teammates! Thank you very much for your support!” Messi wrote on his Facebook page.
Barcelona coach, Gerardo Martino, was full of praise for his recovered superstar.
“His career is like a movie script. In three minutes he scored two goals,” he said after the match.
Tata Martino had recalled Messi into the Barca squad just after one week of practice with the first team, but decided not to start him immediately.
Despite only coming on as a substitute for Andres Iniesta after 61 minutes, Messi scored his first two goals after his injury in just three minutes (min 91 to min 94).
Messi’s two goals doubled the lead against Getafe, and the 4-0 puts Barcelona into the driving seat to reach the quarter final of the Copa del Rey before they even play the second leg.
In addition, the two goals also make Messi the team’s highest scorer in all competitions with 16 goals this season.
Gerardo Martino was seemingly satisfied with the good football of his team and added that Cesc Fabregas, who scored the first two goals, “was the best player of the match.”
“We are playing good football, the ball circulation was fast, we didn’t let them organise. We had control of the match, and this is because we’re going through our best form so far this season.”
Can Lionel Messi also help his side to trump over title contenders Atletico Madrid on Saturday? Have your say in the comment section below.