The Argentinian might have made a failed play to leave the Camp Nou this summer, but it’s clear from his performances in Barca’s pre-season friendlies that he’ll be as central as ever to their success this season.

Although it was Antoine Griezmann who fired Barcelona in front in just the second minute on Saturday and Jordi Alba who registered the assist, it was Messi who sent tongues wagging in the Catalan giants’ traditional curtain-raiser with a defense-splitting pass.

Twitter was quickly set ablaze by the move as fans gushed over the playmaker’s ball to Alba.

“Pirlo would be proud of this pass,” wrote one fan, while another suggested Messi’s passing range is “ridiculous.”