Messi shines in Barca win

Lionel Messi was handed a second-half cameo as Barcelona claimed a 4-1 win over Al Ahly to end their Wembley Cup on a winning note.

The Primera Liga side again blooded a handful of youngsters and fringe players, although Bojan Krcic was named in a starting XI that also included Eric Abidal and Seydou Keita.

It was against the same opposition in 2007 that Bojan made his Barca debut and, having scored in that game, the young striker again found the net with a neat run and finish after 16 minutes.

Hany El-Agazy levelled for the Africans before Jose Manuel Rueda restored Barca's advantage with a 35-yard piledriver.

Messi and Eidur Gudjohnsen were the big names among the second-half substitutes and the former had a hand in the third goal, producing a neat flick to help tee up Jeffren Suarez after 54 minutes.

Pedrito claimed the fourth, slotting home from a tight angle after a fine crossfield ball from Gudjohnsen with 23 minutes left.

The result left Barcelona on four points after their two matches, following their 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports 1 after the match, said his side were close to finalising their long-running pursuit of Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swedish forward is due to arrive at the Nou Camp, with Samuel Eto'o and a bumper transfer fee of around 40million euros going the other way.

Asked if the deal was done, Guardiola said: "Almost. Finally he can sign for us, it is almost there.

"He is a top player and we are here to help him as soon as possible play to his level."

Guardiola is also waiting to find out of Alexander Hleb will join Eto'o at Inter on a season-long loan.

"I think there is an agreement but we still don't know whether Alex will continue with us or go."