Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol has hailed Lionel Messi's return to action in the 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Getafe on Wednesday.

The Argentine marked his comeback from a lengthy muscle problem with two late goals over the Madrid outfit and the veteran Spain defender was not surprised to see him show his quality upon his return.

"He had a big injury, but he never forgot how to play," he is quoted as saying by AS. 

"He has trained very well as he has shown. That's what top players do."

Barca take on Atletico Madrid on Saturday in a vital clash at the top of La Liga but Puyol is not sure whether Messi will make the starting XI for the encounter.

"I don't know if he will start," he continued. "You have to keep training hard and the coach will decide."

And the 35-year-old is not taking Diego Simeone's side lightly, with the two sides neck and neck at the top of the table.

"We are not playing for half of the league because there's a long way to go, but it's a game against one of the best teams in the world."