Just a month ago, football fans were beginning to doubt Lionel Messi.

The Argentine forward was struggling with injury that saw him miss the start of the season.

When Messi did return, he didn't look his usual self in his first few games after the injury.

But Messi has improved as every week has gone by and he was well and truly back to his best on Tuesday night.

The 32-year-old was in unstoppable form as Barcelona smashed Real Valladolid 5-1 at Camp Nou.

After 25 minutes, the score was locked at 1-1. But then Messi stole the show.

His sublime chipped through ball to Arturo Vidal saw Barca take the lead just before the half-hour mark.

He then curled in a free-kick from 25 yards, the 50th of his career, to give his side breathing space.

Messi added another goal and assist in the second half to cap off a wonderful performance.

A number of Valladolid players were embarrassed by Messi on the night, including Oscar Plano.

The Real Madrid youth product was nutmegged by Messi in the 37th minute. And his reaction was priceless. Watch it below:

That's the look of someone who knows he's just been made to look silly.

Plano looked to have been contemplating what had just been happened for a few seconds before jogging back into position.

Plano will at least have some comfort that he isn't the first player to have been embarrassed by Messi. He won't be the last, either.

Ernesto Valverde commented that he had run out of words for Messi after his latest masterclass.

"What else can be said about him? I've run out of words," Valverde said in his post-match press conference, per Marca.

"We always know that he will appear, whatever the match.

"His talent isn't comparable to anything; the reality is that every time he touches the ball, something special happens. I just don't know what to say."