Messi comes on for final 15 minutes in Nelson Mandela friendly

Lionel Messi came for the final 15 minutes as Barcelona beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in a friendly in Johannesburg on Wednesday as part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebrations.

Messi didn't play against Levante on Sunday and trained along earlier this week but still travelled to South Africa with Ernesto Valverde's squad. 

However, he didn't start the game and didn't come on at halftime, either, despite Barça making 11 changes to their lineup. 

Fortunately for the supporters present, the Argentina forward did come on in the 73rd minute, although he wasn't able to contribute in the final third in his brief time on the pitch. 

Messi returns to Barcelona with the rest of his teammates and should start Sunday's game against Real Sociedad, which is Andres Iniesta's last ever game for the Catalan club. 

69' 👋👋👋 🇿🇦 #Messi#SundownsBarça pic.twitter.com/9a23oGsZmQ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) 16 de mayo de 2018

🔃 73' Canvi al FC Barcelona. Entra #Messi per Ruiz de Galarreta (0-3)#SundownsBarça pic.twitter.com/dZZvwgVKND

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) 16 de mayo de 2018