Lionel Messi has been rested for Barcelona’s Champions League game with Inter Milan on Tuesday after scoring a hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Mallorca at the weekend.
The 32-year-old helped the Spanish champions go back to the top of the league on Saturday, as he celebrated winning a record sixth Ballon d’Or at the start of the week with another outstanding display.
Messi’s 35th La Liga hat-trick saw him snatch Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-held record for trebles in La Liga, with Antoine Griezmann and Luiz Suarez also getting in on the act for Barcelona.
After overcoming persistent fitness issues at the start of the campaign, Messi has contributed 12 goals and five assists in 10 domestic outings, showing exactly why he is revered as the world’s finest player.
The Argentine, will not, however, have the opportunity to add to his 2019-20 tally when Barcelona travel to San Siro to face Inter Milan in midweek.
Valverde has opted to leave Messi out of his final 20-man squad, with Barca already guaranteed to finish top of Group F after a 3-1 home victory over Dortmund on November 27.
Pique and Sergi Roberto have also been granted rests, while Nelson Semedo, Arthur, Dembele and Jordi Alba remain sidelined through injury.
Inter Milan must beat Barcelona to book their place in the knockout stages, as they sit ahead of Dortmund by virtue of their head-to-head record, with the German side set to host Slavia Prague on the same day.
Valverde’s men lead the way in the league on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid after 15 matches, having recorded 11 victories, one draw and three defeats.
After their game at the Anoeta, Barca will look ahead to the first Clasico of the campaign, which is due to take place at Camp Nou on December 18.
