"Just when you think he might not be in his best shape, coming back from an injury, he does that - in two minutes," Martino enthused after the South American's strikes had arrived in quick succession. "But we could tell from training that he was looking good. Messi reappeared tonight and we are all pleased." The timing is impeccable. Messi's return represents a big boost for Barcelona ahead of what may well be the Catalans' toughest test of the season so far: the trip to Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday. The Argentine's comeback also coincides with the lead-up to the Ballon d'Or on Monday, an award for which he is shortlisted and is seeking to win for a fifth successive year. That honor looks likely to go to Cristiano Ronaldo instead after the Portuguese starred last year as Leo was laid low by injuries for much of 2013. Had he remained healthy, however, the Argentine would probably be favorite to retain the prize. After all, on sheer talent alone, Messi remains arguably the best there is. "The Ballon d’Or has been moved to a different playing field," Barca defender Dani Alves told Goal in a recent interview. "It has moved to the field of opinions and off the field of play. But if we look at the field of play, I think Leo, for as long as he is around, will push the rest into second place." Whether he wins or not this time around, Messi's majestic comeback represents a stunning reminder of his supreme skills ahead of the award for the world's finest footballer in 2013. Before that, though, comes the trip to Atletico on Saturday night and Barca will be buoyed not only by hitting eight goals without reply in its superb start to 2014, but by the timely return of the team's astonishing Argentine.
"I don't know if he'll be ready to play," captain Carles Puyol said after the game on Wednesday. "He will have to keep on training and the boss will decide. "It was a long time out for him with injury, but he hasn't forgotten how to play. He has trained well and it showed. That's what top players do." So while he hasn't returned in time to alter the winner of the Ballon d'Or, with voting already closed, Messi is back and seemingly in tip-top condition at a crucial point of the season in which he can help to propel Barca to the biggest titles on offer. And that, as the Catalan club signed off on its prized performer to recover fully during November and December in Argentina, was exactly what Barcelona had hoped for.Follow Ben Hayward on
