Lionel Messi picked up from where he left off before the international break, leading Barcelona to another La Liga league victory.

After struggling with Argentina’s national team yet again, Messi returned to Barcelona and thrived as usual, scoring twice in the team’s 2-0 win over Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Saturday.

Messi opened the scoring with a free kick in the 71st and sealed the victory from inside the area in the 89th, leaving Barcelona 10 points in front of Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine now leads the league’s scoring with 31 goals, 13 more than his closest competitor and team-mate Luis Suarez.

The 31-year-old’s form for country has been constantly scrutinised, though, but Blaugrana boss Ernesto Valverde believes the skeptics have been unfair.

Check out the video above to hear more from Valverde on Messi.