<관련 영문 기사>

Messi scores twice in long-awaited return

Lionel Messi scored twice on his first appearance in 59 days as Barcelona cruised towards the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 4-0 win over Getafe in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

The four-time World Player of the Year replaced Andres Iniesta after 63 minutes with Barcelona leading 2-0 thanks to a Cesc Fabregas double.

Messi then put the tie to bed a minute from time when he slotted home a loose ball inside the area.

And he added his 16th goal of the season with a stunning run and finish to round off the scoring in stoppage time.

"It has been a long time out with injury for him, but he has not forgotten how to play," Barca captain Carles Puyol told Spanish TV station Atena 3.

"He has trained very well and you could see that. That is what the star players have."

Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino also had Saturday's upcoming top of the table clash away to Atletico Madrid in mind as he made had made six changes to the side that started last weekend's 4-0 win over Elche.

However, with Messi and Neymar, ruled out by a stomach bug, again not in the starting line-up, Martino maintained the front three of Alexis Sanchez, Pedro Rodriguez and Fabregas.

And despite such a stunning return, Puyol isn't convinced Messi will start at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

"We are not playing for the league because there is a long way to go, but it is a game against one of the best teams in the world.

"I don't know if he will be ready to play (from the start). He needs to keep training well and the coach will decide."

Martino's selection proved inspired as Pedro's lobbed cross was expertly headed into the far corner by Fabregas after just eight minutes. (AP)