Lionel Messi makes his first appearance for Barcelona since dramatic transfer U-turn

Lionel Messi has made his return for Barcelona for the first time since his dramatic transfer U-turn after starting the Catalan club's pre-season friendly against Gimnastic de Tarragona.

The brilliant Argentine only returned to pre-season training on Monday this week after his very public fall-out with the club but Ronald Koeman asked Messi to play as the coach looks to dampen the furore that has surrounded their talisman.

Barcelona went into meltdown when Messi announced he had made up his mind to leave following a hugely disappointing end to last season.