Leo Messi Scores Twice For Barcelona In Less Than 30 Minutes In First Game Back
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FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, reacts after scoring against Getafe during a Copa del Rey soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (AP2014)
Lionel Messi scored twice in his return from a two-month layoff caused by a leg injury, helping Barcelona beat Getafe, 4-0, Wednesday night in the first leg of the Copa del Rey's fifth round.
Sidelined since Nov. 10 by a torn left hamstring, the Argentinian forward replaced Andrés Iniesta in the 64th minute and immediately made a few runs that left little doubt as to the fitness of his leg.
Messi scored in the 87th off a pass from Martín Montoya and during stoppage time he added his 16th goal in 17 games this season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I felt good in training and even if they checked me thoroughly, once you get on the field it's totally different," Messi said. "Physically I felt good. I didn't feel any discomfort in my muscle."
"I played through injury," Messi said of the buildup to his 59-day absence. "But I did well to get through all of this. And now I'm motivated to make this a great year."
The four-time FIFA player of the year has missed 12 matches this season because of leg injuries.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Messi's career is like a movie script," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. "When you think he's down, he scores goals within just two or three minutes. His game was like a summary of his entire career here."
Cesc Fabregas put Barcelona ahead in the seventh minute and converted a penalty kick in the 61st, giving him 11 goals this season.
Messi's return comes just in time for Barcelona's showdown against La Liga co-leader Atlético Madrid on Saturday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The second leg of the total-goals series is at Getafe on Jan. 16.
Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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