Lionel Messi makes first Barcelona appearance since transfer u-turn - in pictures

Argentine started the 3-1 win over Gimnastic at the Johan Cruyff Stadium

Lionel Messi shields the ball from Thomas Amang during the pre-season friendly between Barcelona and Gimnastic de Tarragona at Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman watches on as Lionel Messi takes part in the pre-season friendly match at Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA

Lionel Messi on the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic de Tarragona at Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA

Lionel Messi during the pre-season friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic de Tarragona at Johan Cruyff Stadium. EPA

Lionel Messi during the pre-season friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic de Tarragona at Johan Cruyff Stadium. AFP

Lionel Messi takes a shot at goal during a friendly match at the Johan Cruyff stadium. AFP

Lionel Messi controls the ball during a friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic at the Johan Cruyff stadium. AFP

Lionel Messi during the pre-season friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic de Tarragona at Johan Cruyff Stadium. AFP

Lionel Messi controls the ball during a friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic at the Johan Cruyff stadium. Reuters

Lionel Messi in action during a pre-season friendly between Barcelona and with Gimnastic. Reuters

Lionel Messi runs with the ball the during the pre-season friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic at Johan Cruyff Stadium. Getty Images

Lionel Messi runs with the ball the during the pre-season friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic at Johan Cruyff Stadium. Reuters

Lionel Messi runs with the ball during a friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic at the Johan Cruyff stadium. AFP

Lionel Messi runs with the ball during a friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic at the Johan Cruyff stadium. AFP

Lionel Messi looks during a friendly match between Barcelona and Gimnastic at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. AFP

Lionel Messi is challenged by Thomas Amang during Barcelona's pre-season friendly against Gimnastic. Reuters

Lionel Messi on the ball during Barcelona's pre-season friendly against Gimnastic. Reuters

Lionel Messi passes the ball under pressure from Gimnastic defender Javi Bonilla. AFP

Lionel Messi played the first half of Barcelona's pre-season friendly win against Gimnastic Tarragona on Saturday evening - his first appearance since deciding to stay at the club.

Messi, 33, spent much of the shortened off-season attempting to engineer a move away from the Camp Nou but ultimately decided to stay after the clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for free proved invalid.

The Argentine, who remains none too happy with the club's board and in particular president Josep Maria Bartomeu, has been quickly reintegrated into the team by new manager Ronald Koeman.

After returning to training last week, Messi started the 3-1 friendly win over Gimnastic at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.

Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring on his first appearance since November, before Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho, who was returning after his loan spell at Bayern Munich, each scored penalties either side of Javier Bonilla pulling one back for the visitors.

But Messi's return was perhaps the biggest plus for Koeman, who was taking charge of his first game since being appointed manager last month.

Messi, who has entered the final year of his contract, also led the team out wearing the armband after Barcelona had confirmed earlier on Saturday that he will continue as captain this season.

Both club and player appear keen to put on a united front, at least for now, ahead of their return to La Liga later this month.

The photo gallery above features all the best photos from Messi's appearance in the pre-season game against Gimnastic. To move on to the next slide, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.