Again Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo mêlée for Ballon d’Or  

The start to the 2019/20 season hasn’t been easy for Lionel Messi, who missed the start of the season with injury and who then suffered an injury setback shortly after returning. Ernesto Valverde eased him back into the line-up little by little and now he is back his normal self, as evidenced by his sublime performance in the 5-1 victory over Real Valladolid.

He scored twice and provided two assists, the 118th time he has done so, with one assist for Arturo Vidal and one for his close friend and strike partner Luis Suarez. The Argentine’s return to full fitness is great news for Barcelona and, in particular, for Suarez.Suarez’s play has really improved since Messi’s return to the side.

Over the past five matches, they have 10 goals between them – five each – and their contributions were key to the victories over Inter, Sevilla, Eibar, Slavia Prague and Real Valladolid.Messi set up one Suarez goal in the matches against Real Valladolid, Eibar and Inter, proving that this world-class strike partnership is back in business.