From the start or from the bench, Messi knows where the back of the net is

Is there anything Lionel Messi can't do? The Argentine showed on Saturday that he isn't limited by something as silly as minutes on the pitch as he came off the bench against Sevila to inspire his side to a 2-2 draw, with Messi scoring an 89th-minute equaliser.

Whilst many were shocked by Barca's quick-fire turnaround, it should perhaps have come as little surprise, with Messi boasting an impressive record when coming off the bench.

According to 'ProFootballDB': In 26 appearances from the bench in a Barcelona shirt, Messi has scored 33 goals. It goes without saying that is an incredible tally, with an average of more than a goal per game.

Sevilla were merely Messi's latest victim, with the bench seemingly doing nothing to blunt his goalscoring talents. 

Being left out from the start only seems to anger Messi, with the forward taking it out on his opponents. Games against Atletico Madrid (1-2, 2015/16) and Real Betis (4-2, 2012/13) immediately spring to mind.

- Precedent - 

Despie his La Liga heroics, Messi's most memorable performance from the bench definitely came in the Champions League. The game in question took place on October 1 2008 and saw Barca face Ukranian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk away from home. Ilsinho had put the hosts ahead in the 45th minute, with Pep Guardiola turning to Messi on the hour mark.

The result was predicatble, with Messi scoring the equaliser after 87 minutes and the winner in the final minute of normal time to claim a 2-1 win for Barca.

Aside from the stats though, Messi's record is a psychological weapon, with his mere introduction causing teams to completely change their approach and tactics.

If there wasn't a way of stopping him from the start, it seems that not even a place on the bench can prevent Lionel Messi form doing what Lionel Messi does best.