Still questioned in his homeland after missing out on the Copa America last month, the forward is back where he is truly appreciated and ready to win more silverware.
The Lionel Messi debate rumbles on in Argentina. Exactly a month after losing the final of the Copa America to Chile, Albiceleste coach Gerardo Martino said Tuesday that if he were the 28-year-old, he would have quit the national team long ago because of the constant criticism.
There is no such debate in Barcelona. Why would there be? Messi is the finest footballer in the history of the Catalan club and he has won it all at Camp Nou, leading the Blaugrana to an unprecedented second treble of Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League crowns last season.
Now he is back and he will be happy to leave the Argentina arguments behind him. The fact he continues to be questioned in his homeland is nothing short of ludicrous and that was reflected by Tata's words. "Criticism of Messi doesn't merit any type of analysis," the 52-year-old said.
Nevertheless, such treatment is hurtful for a player who has suffered disappointment in back-to-back international competitions, doing his best to drag the team through the World Cup and then the Copa America but finally falling at the last hurdle on each occasion as Argentina lost to Germany in Rio a year ago and Chile in Santiago this time around.
This whole situation can only help Barcelona. Following World Cup heartache in 2014, Messi returned to the Catalan capital more motivated than ever and produced the finest football of his career in the second half of the campaign as Luis Enrique's side won it all last season.
A poor preseason so far for Barca means little. Defeats to Manchester United, Chelsea (on penalties) and Fiorentina have frustrated fans, but Messi makes such a huge difference in this team that it really is futile to judge the side in his absence.
Fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano, Brazilians Neymar and Dani Alves and Chilean Claudio Bravo also have returned this week after featuring in the Copa, but it is Messi's presence that will be the biggest tonic as Barca brings its preseason preparations to a close by facing Roma in the Gamper Trophy on Wednesday.
And real silverware is on offer for Messi and his teammates in the next two weeks as they first face Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup in Tblisi on Aug. 11, before meeting Athletic Club over two games in the Spanish Supercopa on Aug. 14 and 17.
Messi has been back training hard and pushing his body to the limit in order to be ready for those dates and, according to Luis Enrique, the Argentine attacker is in greater shape than he was ahead of the 2014-15 season.
"Leo, like Neymar, looks better than he did last year," the coach said Tuesday. "They have both trained and worked really well, with good base fitness. I am truly happy with their professionalism."
Meanwhile, the player himself said he was eager to get going as he returned late last month. "The holidays are over," he wrote on Facebook. "I'm starting to get ready for the new season with plenty of challenges ahead." And above it, a smiley face with the caption: "Feeling motivated."
That's great news for Barcelona. Back with players who know how to take full advantage of his tremendous talents, fans who truly appreciate him and a place where he is idolized instead of demonized, Messi is ready to leave the absurd Argentina debate behind him and do what he does best: win trophies for the Catalan club.