Messi Rested For Barcelona Clash With Inter Milan

Barcelona boss, Ernesto Valverde has left Lionel Messi out of his travelling squad poised to face Inter Milan in their Champions League clash.

The Argentine has been rested for the Blaugranas clash with Inter with the Catalan giants having secured a place in the last-16 already.

The six-time Ballon D’Or winner helped Barcelona record a resounding win over RCD Mallorca during the win with another hattrick, even as he celebrated his sixth Ballon D’Or win in style.

The Argentine’s hattrick saw him eclipse Ronaldo’s long-held record for the most hattrick in the Spanish top-flight.

The attacking trio of the Catalan giants were all on target as Griezmann and Suarez all got goals of their own.

After recovering fully from lingering fitness issues, the Argentine has found the net 12 times and made five assists in 10 league outings, showing just why he is widely regarded as the world’s finest players.

He will not however have the chance to increase his goal tally when Barcelona take on Inter Milan in the Champions League with Valverde opting to rest him.

SEE ALSO: ‘Mane More Like Ronaldo Than Messi’ – Danny Blind

Barcelona are already guaranteed to top their group going into the knockout stages having trashed Borussia Dortmund by a 3-1 scoreline.

The pair of Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto have also been granted tests while Ousmane Dembele, Arthur, Semedo and Alba still remain unavailable for selection due to injuries.

To book a place in the knockout stages of the competition, Inter Milan must beat Barcelona as they sit atop Dortmund only by head-to-head record. Dortmund are poised to host lowly Slavia Prague on the same night and a win for the German giants would put them well above Inter should Inter lose.

Messi can now take a break ahead of Barcelona’s trip to Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Messi’s Barcelona sit at the summit of the Laliga table courtesy of a higher goal difference than second-placed Real Madrid. After 15 fixtures, the Catlan giants have tasted defeat only three times, drawn once and won in 11 others.

 

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