AGENCIES: Lionel Messi scored two goals and provided two assists as Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 5-1 to return to the top of La Liga.
Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet drove in an early goal before Kiko bundled in for Valladolid.
Arturo Vidal poked in from Messi’s pass to restore Barcelona’s lead before the Argentine curled in a superb free-kick – the 50th such goal of his career.
Messi powered in a fourth and then set up Luis Suarez to sweep in a fifth.
Barcelona was not in action at the weekend after their game with Real Madrid was postponed because of safety fears surrounding the ongoing protests in Catalonia.
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