The numbers speak for themselves: 13 goals in 8 games. These are Messi's stats in the games directly following Barcelona's elimination from the Champions League since he started playing for the first team. He has only failed to score once, in the 2013/14 season against Granada, when Barca lost 1-0.
The most notable example of Messi's bounce-back is one of the greatest moments in his career. The forward scored his first ever hat-trick in 2006/7 against Real Madrid, just a few days after Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in the round of 16. Three goals against his greatest rival, in a Clasico at the Camp Nou that ended 3-3.
This was the first sign of Messi's phoenix quality, however the most recent spotting was at the same level. It came last season when he put in a masterclass performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, securing the three points for Barcelona in the final minute. He scored twice, and produced an iconic celebration, holding his shirt aloft in front of the Real fans.
Here is a list of Messi's victims: 3 goals vs Real Madrid (2006/7), 1 goal vs Valencia (2007/8), 2 goals vs Villareal (2008/9), 2 goals vs Rayo Vallecano (2011/12), 2 goals vs Betis (2012/13), 1 goal vs Valencia (2015/16), 2 goals vs Real Madrid (2016/17).
It is Valencia who will once again face Messi after a Champions League loss on Saturday. After a huge fall in Rome, there is no better way to heal the wounds than with goals. Furthermore, with the league title within reach, Barcelona will be eager to wrap it up early. Good luck Valencia.