Lionel Messi scores minutes into Barcelona comeback ahead of Manchester City tie
Saturday 15 October 2016 19:00, UK
Lionel Messi showed Manchester City his fitness ahead of their Champions League tie by scoring three minutes into his Barcelona comeback.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was left on the bench for the La Liga clash with Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and despite being 3-0 up at half-time, head coach Luis Enrique chose to bring Messi on 10 minutes after the break.
Messi was handed the captain's armband by the departing Sergio Busquets and moments later the Argentine latched onto team-mate Neymar's excellent through ball to score with just his third touch to seal a 4-0 win.
Enrique believes the goal is ideal preparation for facing former team-mate Pep Guardiola in the coming week.
"It is the perfect way to go into the game against City on Wednesday for the result and for the way in which we got the result in a tricky week for us with the majority of the players away with their national teams," said Enrique.
"We have Leo back and it took him no time to be back in top form."
Despite Barcelona winning all four of of the two sides' Champions League last 16 clashes in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, Enrique is wary of the impact Guardiola will have had on their European opponents.
"It is a great way to prepare for a very attractive game for us against an opponent that is continuously improving, and will continue to do so based on what we have seen so far and because of the coach they have," Enrique added.
