PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Lionel Messi scored an emphatic brace in a 5-1 rout of Real Valladolid as Barcelona returned to the top of the table with the win. 

Neymar is refusing to give up on his dream of returning to Barcelona after the Brazilian spent time in Catalonia with former team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, according to reports.

Lionel Messi converted an added-time penalty as Argentina salvaged a 2-2 draw against their South American rivals Uruguay in a friendly in Tel Aviv.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde talked up the importance of having Lionel Messi in his side after the forward netted the winner in the 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid.

Luis Suarez has dismissed any notion that his Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is planning on winding down any time soon after picking up a sixth Ballon d'Or this week.

Lionel Messi eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 34 La Liga hat-tricks on a night when Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann were also on the scoresheet against Mallorca at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona will be desperate to put their local rivals Espanyol to the sword on Saturday evening at the RCDE Stadium in La Liga. Follow all the live updates from Sportsmail right here.

The Argentine superstar has been managing a thigh issue for a number of weeks but is pushing on after Luis Suarez was sidelined until April and Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for the season.

PETE JENSON: In the big games Messi now seems to cut the same forlorn, powerless figure in the Barça shirt as he does for Argentina. There is an over-reliance on him and no one to give support.

Lionel Messi is the latest footballer to take on the 'stay at home challenge' as stars attempt to keep themselves entertained with sport on hold due to coronavirus.

At Barcelona, as reported on Thursday by Sportsmail, the board are risking a potential feud with their star players over mooted wage cuts. Here's how it would affect their enormous salaries.

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi would reportedly prefer to rekindle his partnership with Neymar than for the club to sign Lautaro Martinez from Inter Milan in the summer.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has made the bold claim of reassuring supporters that talisman Lionel Messi will not be leaving the club. The club icon could walk away for free in summer.

The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot was won by Colombia's James Rodriguez, who set the tournament alight with six goals and goal of the tournament before earning a transfer to Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk have all been shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or, after the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award was announced.

The pair pipped Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Marc Marquez and Eliud Kipchoge for the honour. Messi won his sixth Ballon d'Or last year as Barcelona won La Liga for the 26th time.

The 'Special One', who left Manchester United ten months ago, has named the Brazilian Ronaldo as the greatest player he has worked with, having coached him at Barcelona.

Lionel Messi has achieved some incredible things during his playing career. And on Sunday night, he reached another milestone when he bagged his 400th goal for Barcelona in La Liga.

The midfielder posted 10 pictures on Instagram from Croatia's stunning 3-0 victory over Argentina in Russia, but one photo has irked a number of fans, which shows Rakitic dribbling past Messi.

PETE JENSON AT THE NOU CAMP: Career goal number 600 for Lionel Messi, it was special, it broke another record and it probably won the league for Barcelona.

Argentina should thank their lucky stars they have a player like Lionel Messi in their squad, claims Diego Costa. The Barcelona star was forced to watch Spain's thumping win from the stands.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: The four-times Champions League winner flew to London to meet with his agent on Monday and Spanish media speculated that he will be allowed to join Jiangsu Suning.

Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico has praised captain Lionel Messi for his desire to win a trophy for his country as they begin their quest to end a 26-year wait for silverware.

TOM SANDERSON IN BRAZIL: The sight of an inconsolable Lionel Messi slumped on the turf of the MetLife Stadium became a defining image of his tenure in the Argentina shirt from 2014 to 2016.

After a Messi penalty salvaged a point against Paraguay on Wednesday night, Argentina know they must now beat 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar to avoid an embarrassing early exit.

Miguel Almiron's superb assist for Paraguay in their Copa America draw with Argentina has earned a tongue-in-cheek comparison to Lionel Messi from Newcastle.

For Lionel Messi, the present Copa America campaign with Argentina has, so far, been another bruising affair on the international stage. But he has still shown flashes of his sparkling best.

Argentina must beat Qatar in Porto Alegre on Sunday night and hope Paraguay fail to beat Colombia if they are to avoid a humiliating group-stage exit at the Copa America.

Lionel Messi might be Argentina's - and Barcelona's - all-time record goalscorer, but fans were quick to mock the all-time great after he missed an easy chance for his country in Copa America.

Lionel Messi (left) and Sergio Aguerro (right) cut relaxed figures as Argentina prepared for their Copa America quarter-final clash with Venezuela.

Argentina booked their place in the Copa America semi-finals on Friday night with a 2-0 win over Venezuela in Rio de Janeiro thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso.

The Barcelona star has scored just one goal in four appearances for Argentina at the tournament, a penalty against Paraguay, although they are into the semi-finals.

When five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona star Lionel Messi eventually hangs up his boots, he might just have one huge regret lingering in the back of his mind.

After Lionel Messi tasted yet more international heartbreak with Argentina at the Copa America , his scoring record on the big stage has once again come under scrutiny.

He may have won the Champions League last season, but Alisson Becker learned a few crucial lessons along the way. After being beaten by Lionel Messi once, amends have been made.

TOM SANDERSON IN BRAZIL: Naturally, the Argentine press dug its heels in over the hours that followed yet another big stage disappointment. Messi, they feel, can lead new generation to glory.

Gary Medel has come out in defence of Lionel Messi after both players were sent off for a confrontation in the Copa America third place playoff. The were dismissed for a clash in the first half.

The 25-year-old Juventus star netted Argentina's second goal against Chile in the 22nd minute as they won 2-1, with Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero scoring the opener.

Messi was left incandescent with the performance of referee Roddy Zambrano and the use of VAR and did not hold back in his post-match assessment after their defeat by Brazil.

Lionel Messi has been recuperating on a family holiday after the disappointment of Argentina's Copa America semi-final defeat by Brazil.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been banned for one game and fined £1,200 after being sent off against Chile in the Copa America third-place playoff earlier this month.

Lionel Messi will not feature for Argentina again this year after receiving a three-month suspension and a £41,000 fine following his controversial comments about Copa America.

Lionel Messi has started his recovery from a calf injury as the Barcelona star pushes to be fit for the start of the La Liga season on August 16. He trained alone with his team-mates away in the USA.

Lionel Messi has suffered another injury setback and will almost certainly be out of Barcelona's La Liga fixture with Osasuna at the weekend. Messi has struggled for fitness since suffering a calf injury.

Lionel Messi returns to action for Argentina on Friday against their arch rivals Brazil in what will be his first international since being banned for three months after claiming referees were 'corrupt'.

Lionel Messi rarely needs a second invitation to score but that is exactly what he got as he scored from the rebound of his missed penalty to ensure Argentina beat Brazil out in Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi praised Argentina's work ethic after scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Brazil on his return to international football following a three-month ban for criticising CONMEBOL.

Lionel Messi will be hoping to strike again on Monday night following his winner against Brazil on Friday. Messi marked his return from a three-month ban for by scoring in a 1-0 win over Brazil.

Lionel Messi has a chance to win the Copa America on his own turf next summer - but Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says the competition will be about more than just the Barcelona star.

The world's most expensive ever footballer, Neymar, completes the top three as footballers dominate the podium spots of Forbes list of the 100 highest paid athletes .