Lionel Messi missed Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Malaga at the weekend because of the birth of his third child, Ciro. Ciro joins Thiago, age 5, and Mateo, age 2, as nearly 30% of the Messi children needed to field an entire XI of Messi children.
Back on the pitch, Messi’s presence wasn’t missed against La Liga’s worst team. Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho gave Barca a 2-0 lead by the 28th minute, Malaga had a man sent off for a straight red card in the 30th and Ousmane Dembele spent the remainder of the match dribbling circles around the Andalusians.
The gap over Atletico Madrid remains at eight points with only 10 matches remaining.
But still, the Barcelona squad was happy to see Messi return to the team for Monday’s training session, and they celebrated by performing some sick rondos and clapping "La Pulga" for his baby-making exploits.
Sounds like a pretty classic day at the office.
Barcelona welcomes Chelsea to the Nou Camp on Wednesday with the aggregate score level at 1-1 in the Champions League Round of 16. Barca then hosts Athletic Bilbao in league play on Sunday.
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