Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez showed their goalscoring form heading into the new season by helping Barcelona defeat Sampdoria in the Gamper Trophy.
The hosts got off to the perfect start when Suarez latched on to Messi’s sensational overhead kick-assist to nod home the opener.
Messi doubled Barca’s lead five minutes later when he got on the end of Ivan Rakitic’s clever through ball to slot home with 21 minutes played.
Luis Muriel pulled one back for the visitors before Messi’s impressive free- kick doubled his tally for the evening and regained his side’s two-goal lead.
Ante Budimir grabbed another for Sampdoria in the 78th minute but the European giants held on for the victory ahead of their two-legged Spanish Super Cup clash with Sevilla.
Before the match on Wednesday, new signings Denis Suarez, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne and Andre Gomes were presented to the Nou Camp crowd after arriving this summer.
The game was the 51st edition of the Gamper Trophy as the Catalan giants commemorated the 25th anniversary of first European Cup success which came as they beat the Italians at Wembley in 1992.
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