lionel Messi scored twice, including one brilliant individual effort, in his first start of the year as Barcelona beat Getafe 2-0 in the second-leg of their Copa del Rey last 16 tie to progress 6-0 on aggregate.
However, it was far from a perfect evening for the Catalans as Neymar had to be carried from the field after suffering a nasty looking right ankle sprain midway through the first-half. Barca boss Gerardo Martino, though, played down fears that the Brazilian could be sidelined for a significant period of time. “We don’t think it is as bad as it appeared on television. He could be out for a period of time, but it shouldn’t be too serious, the player is fine,” he said.
“I prefer that the doctors say exactly how long he will be out, but we don’t think it will be for a long time.” With his side already leading 4-0 from the first-leg, thanks in part to two goals from Messi on his first appearance as a substitute after two months out, Martino made nine changes to the side that started Saturday’s la liga 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid.
Neymar was also making his first start of the year after recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis. However, his return lasted only 23 minutes as he had to be helped off the field by two members of the Barca medical staff as he turned his ankle in attempting to cross the ball from the left side of the area.
The visitors shrugged off the loss of the Brazilian, though, as Cristian Tello’s driven cross was turned in at the near post by Messi two minutes before half-time. And the best was still to come from the diminutive Argentine as he danced past three Getafe challenges before rounding goalkeeper Jordi Codina and finishing from a tight angle for his fourth goal of the tie just after the hour mark.
Messi went on to complete the 90 minutes and Martino said he was now confident that his compatriot is now fully match fit. “He was out for 60 days, but physically he feels good and you can see he is now ready to play the 90 minutes. It was just a matter of time until he did it.” Martino also took the opportunity to hand Xavi Hernandez his 700th appearance for the club as he replaced Cesc Fabregas with 20 minutes remaining.
Messi should have rounded off his evening with a hat-trick on 85 minutes as he was played in with just Codina to beat, but the keeper made a fine save with his right leg to turn the ball behind for a corner. It mattered little in the overall complexion of the tie, however, as Barca set up a meeting with levante in the last eight.
Global superstars such as lionel Messi and Robin Van Persie will be a part of Pepsi’s 2014 football squad. Nineteen of the world’s greatest players, spanning five continents and nearly 20 countries, are uniting with Pepsi to inspire fans the world over to “live For Now” in 2014.
Messi, Argentinian international striker Sergio Agüero and young British talent Jack Wilshere will be joined by Brazilian defender David luiz, prolific van Persie and Spanish great Sergio Ramos as part of the global Pepsi lineup. They will be bolstered by additional footballing greats from across the globe representing their countries. “Football has been my passion since I was a little boy and it’s certainly one of the things I live for now. I am so proud to be partnering with Pepsi again and representing the brand globally as part of this star-studded team,” says three-time player of the year and Argentinian captain Messi.
Earlier on Friday the Pepsi players took to social media to unveil the entire roster in an exciting digital relay that reached fans across the globe. David luiz, Premier league player for Chelsea and vice-captain for Brazil’s national team, said, “I’m excited to be teaming up with Pepsi and proud to be part of such a great team.”
The players will star in Pepsi’s global television commercial released later in the year. Special commemorative packaging featuring the global Pepsi players will start appearing in market in March, while integrations with music, art, digital, interactive experiences and additional special products will be unveiled throughout the year.