MADRID (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's four-goal masterclass in the 6-1 demolition of Eibar on Tuesday was warmly welcomed by Ernesto Valverde but held little surprise for the Barcelona coach. Having coached Athletic Bilbao before joining Barcelona, Valverde has faced Messi multiple times, but for summer signing Nelson Semedo, experiencing the Argentine's magic live is a relatively new sensation. Barcelona's rout was completed when Messi played a one-two with Aleix Vidal and tucked home in the 87th minute past the despairing Dmitrovic. Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return for Real Madrid on Wednesday against Real Betis after his five-match domestic suspension, but Messi already heads the Pichichi chart of La Liga's top scorers with nine goals. Like Real Madrid, who are seven points behind the Catalans having played one less game, Ronaldo has to follow the trail Messi is blazing.

Source: The Star September 20, 2017 00:00 UTC