MADRID: Lionel Messi once again showed his sharpness by scoring two goals in Barcelona’s 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

Barca trailed behind Inaki Williams’ early goal at San Mames but bounced back through an attacking machine led by Messi.

Messi’s cross led to the equalizer in the 14th minute through Pedri and then the Argentine star saw his goal canceled by VAR and hit the post.

However, the 33-year-old scored two goals in the 38th and 62nd minutes to ensure Barca’s victory before Bilbao closed the gap through Iker Muniain at the end of the game.

Bilbao played for the first time under new manager Marcelino Garcia Toral who led Valencia to the Spanish King’s Cup by beating Barca in last season’s final.