Luis Enrique will not be rushed into risking Lionel Messi’s fitness despite Barcelona’s shock weekend setback versus LaLiga minnows Alaves.
A much-changed Barca line-up went down 2-1 at Camp Nou, with Messi, Luis Suarez and club captain Andres Iniesta unable to salvage matters having appeared as second-half substitutes.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner returned from international duty with Argentina having aggravated a groin complaint and Luis Enrique will guard against further fitness problems in Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Celtic.
“Messi, I would like him to play every single minute. He would like that as well,” the Barca coach told a pre-match news conference.
“But it is about what the player is feeling here, what he feels in his leg.
“Tomorrow we will see if he can play many minutes. It is how well his legs are that will dictate how much he can play.”
Left-back Jordi Alba, an unused substitute on Saturday, is under no illusions over Messi’s importance among Barcelona’s galaxy of stars.
“I would be stupid if I didn’t say Messi is the best for us, we have a lot of quality players but Leo makes us a different team.
“He has been the best in the world for a long time and that’s incredible.”
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