This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi has been a driving force behind the team's resurgence in La Liga, and his influence was on full display in a 5-1 win over Real Valladolid on Tuesday.
With Messi firing on all cylinders, Barcelona moved to the top of the table with 22 points from 10 matches, a significant turnaround from their shaky start to the season.
After a slow start, with just two wins in six games, Barcelona have won their last seven matches in all competitions since Messi returned to the pitch on September 24.
Barcelona's coach, Ernesto Valverde, praised Messi's display, saying, 'Every time he gets the ball, something happens, good for us and bad for them. He has this talent that nobody else has. It's not just that he makes one move and unbalances them, but he sees what nobody else sees.'
Messi's 50th free-kick goal in his career was a highlight of the match, and he added another goal in the second half with a slick swivel and drilled finish, before slipping in Luis Suarez for the fifth.
Barcelona's title rivals had a headstart this season while Messi was out of action, but the forward has already helped his side catch up and is now hitting the top of his game.
