Messi returns to Barcelona after Argentina heroics
Having single-handedly secured Argentina a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Lionel Messi has returned to Barcelona to prepare his team's crunch clash this weekend.
Messi is back home. The Barca star, following the international break in which Argentina sealed qualification for the World Cup, touched down in Barcelona on Wednesday night.
He was not able to tear down Peru's defensive wall, but his hat-trick to brush Ecuador to one side (3-1) will go down in history in his native Argentina.
Soon after the end of the match in Quito, Messi boarded a private jet to Barcelona along with his teammate Javier Mascherano and they both arrived safely in the Catalan capital.
After becoming a national hero, Messi will now have to turn his attentions to Barcelona's La Liga needs, starting with Saturday's Atletico clash at the Wanda Metropolitano.