Fernando Signorini: 'Messi is a feline licking his wound'

Former Argentina fitness coach Fernando Signorini has insisted that it is not a surprise that Lionel Messi has taken time to return to his best form.

Messi has been criticised for a number of below-par performances in the early stages of 2014 after returning from a hamstring injury.

However, the Barcelona forward put in a man-of-the-match performance against Sevilla at the weekend, netting twice in a 4-1 win at the Estadio Ramon.

"When a feline has a problem, he can't go immediately in search of the prey because he will do himself damage again," the Argentine told La Xarxa.

"And Messi, to summarise, is a feline licking his wound - he is just waiting for the right moment to attack and pounce like he did on Sunday, when the team needed him and he scored two goals."

Messi has scored 21 goals this season.