Lionel Messi stars as Barcelona give 'enormous boost' to La Liga title hopes with win over Mallorca - in pictures

Argentine forward set up two goals and scored another in his team's first game back since the coronavirus lockdown

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, centre, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's fourth goal against Real Mallorca at Son Moix Stadium. AP Photo

Barcelona's Jordi Alba, left, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal against Mallorca. AP Photo

Lionel Messi, second right, score his side's fourth goal against Mallorca. AP Photo

Luis Suarez (C) in action against Mallorca´s Martin Valjent (L). EPA

Lionel Messi (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Mallorca. AFP

Lionel Messi (L) scores against Mallorca inside an empty Son Moix Stadium. AFP

Barcelona's Martin Braithwaite, left, vies for the ball with Mallorca's Martin Valjent. AP Photo

A supporter invades the pitch next to Mallorca's Kubo, left. AP Photo

A pitch invader (C) is removed from the pitch. AFP

Lionel Messi in action against Mallorca. AP Photo

Mallorca's Fran Gamez in action with Barcelona's Martin Braithwaite and Sergi Roberto. Reuters

Takefusa Kubo of Mallorca battles for possession with Arthur Melo of Barcelona. Getty Images

Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Baba (R) heads the ball in front of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. AFP

Barcelona players during the drinks break. Reuters

Marc-Andre ter Stegen punches the ball away in front of Mallorca's Iddrisu Baba. Reuters

Mallorca and Barcelona players play inside an empty Son Moix Stadium. AP Photo

Barcelona manager Quique Setien praised his team after the 4-0 thrashing of Real Mallorca on Saturday night gave the defending La Liga champions an "enormous boost" to their hopes of retaining the title.

Lionel Messi starred on Barca's return to action, more than three months after Spanish football went into lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal scored the opener in the second minute, the Argentine forward set up the next two goals - first for Martin Braithwaite in the 37th-minute and then Jordi Alba in the 79th - before getting on the scoresheet himself in the final moments of the game.

The victory moves Barca five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the standings and applies immediate pressure to their rivals, who will aim to reduce the deficit back to two points when they face Eibar on Sunday night.

"I'm happy because starting like this is an enormous boost for what's to come," Setien said.

Goalscorer Alba urged his teammates to use this victory as a springboard for a strong end to the season.

"We controlled the game and it was a great performance after not competing for three months," the Spanish full-back said. "We now have 10 must-win games to go and we are really looking forward to them."

Luis Suarez made his first appearance since injuring his knee six months ago, coming off the bench in the second half, and the sight of the Uruguayan striker back out on the pitch was the highlight for Setien.

Asked what pleased him most, Barca's manager said: "The satisfaction of seeing Luis again on the field. You have to admire the performance he gave in those 35 minutes that he played. Starting like this is very important for him and for the team as well."

The game was played behind closed doors to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, but a fan wearing an Argentina shirt somehow made it on to the pitch, only to be swiftly taken away by security guards.

The pitch invader later told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope he was a French national living in Mallorca and that he had scaled a two-metre fence to enter the stadium shortly before halftime.

"I had planned this ever since I knew the match was happening, I wanted a photo with Messi and to meet him because he's my idol," he said, declining to give his name.

"I got a photo but it wasn't a very good one and the police made me delete it. I stopped with Jordi Alba to tell him I was going for Messi. It was a nice experience."