Argentina hero Leo Messi returns to Barcelona for Atletico clash
Messi arrived back in Catalonia on a private plane from Quito
His wife Antonella and son Thiago were waiting at the airport
Leo Messi is back in Barcelona. The Argentina star arrived late on Wednesday night from Ecuador with the satisfaction of having led his country to the World Cup.
Shortly after the game in Quito and a brief celebration with his teammates, Messi took a plane in the direction of Barcelona with Javier Mascherano, Pepe Costa and Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria.
Di Maria was dropped off in Paris on the way, before the plane arrived in Barcelona, shortly after eight in the evening -- at El Prat, Messi was met by his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and his eldest son Thiago.
On Tuesday, Messi had scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-1 win over Ecuador as they made the World Cup, but his head is now back on Barcelona duties.
Ernesto Valverde's side train on Thursday and Friday ahead of Saturday's big La Liga fixture against Atletico in Madrid (20.45h).
