According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Messi feels Coutinho can cope with the responsibility of replacing Iniesta.
And for that reason the 30-year-old is keen for the former Liverpool star to inherit his shirt in the summer.
Coutinho chose the No 14 shirt when he moved to Barcelona, with the vacant No 7 reserved for Antoine Griezmann.
Coutinho’s shirt number swap won’t be the only change if Iniesta calls time on his Barcelona career.
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Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho have struck up a friendship at Barcelona
Ferdinand: I feel lucky to have watched Messi play for Barcelona
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Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta is mulling over a move to the Chinese Super League
Messi will apparently take on the captaincy, having been Iniesta’s second-in-command since 2015.
And he could use his heightened influence in that role to ensure Coutinho dons the No 8 from next season onwards.
Barcelona are currently eight points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.
They will be looking to extend their lead when they play host to Athletic Bilbao tomorrow afternoon.