Discomfort in the pubis is likely to cause Lionel Messi to miss the next game of the season against Alaves but that won’t trouble Luis Enrique who’s never subscribed to the theory of ‘Messidependence.’
Indeed, if we look at the 16 games that the Argentinian has missed under Enrique’s tutelage, 13 have been won, two drawn and only one lost.
In Lucho’s first season, 2014/15, ‘La Pulga’ missed three games, all in the Copa del Rey.
Huesca were beaten 4-0 and 8-1 and in the second leg of the knockout game against Elche, Messi sat out the 4-0 victory after a 5-0 first leg win.
In the other 57 games, the No.10 completed 56 complete – he missed 45 minutes at the Estadio de Anoeta, a match against Real Sociedad that was seen as pivotal in Barcelona’s run to the treble.
During the 2015/16 campaign, Messi wasn’t able to participate in 13 games, 10 of which were as a result of the knee injury that occurred against Las Palmas on 26 September 2015.
Whilst out, Barcelona incurred a loss against Sevilla (2- 1) and a cup draw against Villanovense, as well as eight wins – Bayer Leverkusen, Rayo Vallecano, two against Bate Borisov, Eibar, Villanovense (again), Getafe and Villarreal.
He reappeared on November 21 against Real Madrid but sat out the next match with colic – the Club World Cup semifinal against Guangzhou Evergrande which the Catalans won comfortably by 3-0.
In 2016, Messi has missed only two matches.
The first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Athletic Club with a hamstring injury (2-1) and the semifinal second leg against Valencia which ended 1-1 after a 7-0 first leg rout, resting on his coach’s instruction.
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