LIONEL MESSI GOT over the disappointment of missing out on the World Player of the Year award by scoring on his first start of the year for Barcelona.
The Argentinean opened the scoring in Barca’s second-leg victory over Getafe after turning home a cross from Cristian Tello. Messi, who missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Cristiano Ronaldo, scored twice, off the bench, in the first leg.
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Messi scored again on 64 minutes to seal the away victory and register 18th goal of the season. He nutmegged his marker and finished from an acute angle.
However, it still proved costly evening for the Catalans as Brazilian forward Neymar had to be carried from the field and replaced by Alexis Sanchez after falling awkwardly midway through the first-half. The Brazilian could be out of action until mid February if he is found to have damaged ligaments.