Valverde: I have run out of words for Messi Barcelona vs Real Valladolid Argentine scored twice and assisted two in 5-1 victory

Barcelona fans were treated to a sheer spectacle on Tuesday evening as Lionel Messi ran riot against Real Valladolid, leaving Ernesto Valverde to suggest that he has run out of superlatives for the Argentine.

With the Blaugrana having missed their captain for much of the 2019/20 season through injury, performances like Tuesday's make you wonder just where the club would be had Messi been fit for the entirety of the season.

"What else can be said about him? I've run out of words," Valverde explained in his post-match press conference.

"We always know that he will appear, whatever the match.

"His talent isn't comparable to anything; the reality is that every time he touches the ball, something special happens. I just don't know what to say."

If Barcelona are to have any chance of winning the Champions League this season then Messi will be absolutely crucial, yet what is also important is rest and how Valverde manages the physical condition of his players, and we saw several changes from the Spanish coach on Tuesday, despite the fact they didn't have a weekend match.

"It wasn't an excessive match, but I think we played well," Valverde added.

"We're in a week of three matches and it was important to start it well.

"We have a big squad and all the players are fighting to play. There are players who deserve to play but can't always do so; we will be managing the group."

Many thought Ansu Fati wouldn't be available for this match due to his potential participation at the Under-17 World Cup with Spain, yet he wasn't selected, instead being was given his first taste of international football with the under-21 side, however Valverde believes he was right to select the teenager on Tuesday, despite a stuttering display.

"I thought that such a raw player could come in handy," he confirmed.

"I thought that Real Valladolid would repeat their performance from last year's game [which saw Barcelona win 1-0 in a hard-fought game].

"Also, we're in a week with three matches [with Levante and Slavia Prague to come].

"I thought it was a good time to make some changes."