Lionel Messi is back in the Barcelona starting line-up for Sunday's La Liga clash against Real Betis just three weeks after breaking his arm.
Messi suffered the injury on October 20 during Barca's 4-2 win over Sevilla, but his quick return will come as a welcome boost to coach Ernesto Valverde.
Barca's talisman has missed five games for the club since then, though the Blaugrana have managed to win four of those - including a 5-1 Clasico demolition of Real Madrid, during which Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick.
Messi joins Suarez in the Barca attack versus Betis, while Malcom gets the nod over Ousmane Dembele after the Frenchman's much-publicised transgressions earlier this week.
Barcelona starting XI: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur, Malcom, Suarez, Messi
Dembele did not show up for training and it took Barca an hour and a half to get hold of their player, who is supposed to advise the club if he is ill.
The winger missed Thursday’s session and also Friday’s, before training alone on Saturday following a bout of gastroenteritis and he was left out of the squad to face Betis.
