The Argentine had been a fitness doubt but scored either side of half-time to settle this one
A brace from Lionel Messi confirmed Celtic’s elimination from European competition and virtually confirmed Barcelona as the winners of Champions League Group C.
Goals in each half from the 29-year-old superstar did the damage to Celtic, who needed to match Borussia Moenchengladbach's result to even have a chance of third place and qualifying for the Europa League.
On a night when temperatures in Glasgow were only a couple of degrees warmer than the North Pole, the finish from Messi for Barcelona’s opener was suitably cool.
A long spell of Barcelona possession ended with Neymar on the left, and his lofted through-ball found Messi bursting into the area and able to hit a first-time half-volley past Craig Gordon at the near post.
And he converted a second-half penalty to settle the game after Emilio Izaguirre had brainlessly hauled down Luis Suarez in the box.
But what did we learn? Ed Malyon was at Celtic Park....
1. Barcelona didn’t underestimate Celtic
Some Barcelona directors spoke effusively at a private function on Tuesday night about their respect for Celtic as a football club and an institution.
While that could have felt simply like an international relations outreach programme, coach Luis Enrique was true to the words of his superiors as he put out his strongest possible XI for this game at Celtic Park.
Lionel Messi’s return to fitness meant he could start alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar against a backline ill-equipped to deal with arguably the best forward line football has ever seen.
2. Craig Gordon can’t recreate the wall
With the rise of a misogynistic, fascist dictator on the other side of the pond, much has been spoken recently about large walls.
When Celtic memorably stunned Barcelona in 2012, Fraser Forster was dubbed "the great wall" by Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo.
If Celtic were to repeat that sort of result then they needed Craig Gordon to have a stunning game in goal.
But the former Sunderland man had no such luck.
Messi's opener was a stunning move, half-volleyed home into a tiny space at the near post.
Yet if you speak to any goalkeeper, not even Messi scoring past them will make them feel better about getting beaten on the near side.
A point-blank save from Luis Suarez was Gordon's high point but even that was more down to a disappointing connection from the Uruguayan than any advanced acrobatics from the ageing stopper.
3. Barca given a glimpse of their future
The departure of Carles Puyol and then Xavi was the reminder that all good things must come to an end.
Barcelona know that Andres Iniesta will be the next, but this summer they made a concerted effort to sign young players - buying four 22-year-olds - that could grow into first-team berths.
Andre Gomes was brought in at great expense, some £45million, to be the back-up, rotation option and eventual successor to Iniesta and this evening we saw Barca’s first-choice XI with the Portuguese youngster’s presence ahead of the injured Iniesta the only blotch on perfection.
Gary Neville considered the rangy Gomes as a player who could reach the elite and compared his style to Michael Ballack. Instead of trying to mimic Iniesta, Barca are tweaking their midfield weapons in the same way that they did when they replaced Xavi with Ivan Rakitic - to great success.
We also saw a Barcelona debut for on-loan Brazilian defender Marlon.
The centre-back replaced Gerard Pique for his first senior appearance as the club looks to activate the clause that will seal his permanent arrival from Fluminense after impressing with Barcelona B.
4. Moussa Dembele fails to shine in big audition
Moussa Dembele has jumped from Fulham to the Champions League when there were many Premier League clubs willing to pay him very handsomely for his services.
And the 20-year-old striker did it because he was promised a shop window.
Dembele has been spectacular at times this season - most notably with a hat-trick in the first Old Firm encounter and the winner in the second - but he missed a sitter that would have levelled this tie tonight.
With the scores even, Parkhead rocking and entering the last half an hour, you might have backed the hosts for a shock result.
Instead Barcelona went up the other end and won a penalty inside two minutes, which Messi scored to end this game as a contest.
5. Even Barca's youngsters are savvy veterans now
The last few weeks of La Liga action have seen Barcelona players trying to work out how many bookings they need to get to ensure their suspensions are served before el clásico on December 3rd.
Luis Suarez had to sit out Saturday's draw with Malaga, for example, after deciding it would be a better game to be absent for than the clash at the Nou Camp.
Neymar was at it in the second half here.
The Brazilian deliberately involved himself in confrontation after the break in order to get a booking that would see him suspended for the final group game against Borussia Moenchengladbach.
It means the young superstar will be free of any cards heading into the knockout stage, where Barca plan to make a deep assault.
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