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Where is Lionel Messi? Barcelona star out of Celta Vigo starting XI
LIONEL MESSI has been left out of Barcelona’s XI to face Celta Vigo tonight.
Lionel Messi has been rested to the Barcelona bench
Messi has been struggling with fitness issues of late and recently sat out of Argentina’s two friendlies during the international break.
There are concerns he may be close to burn-out with the World Cup just around the corner.
And Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde seems to have bowed to those fears by leaving Messi out of tonight’s XI in Vigo.
Messi was not named in the starting line-up, with Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele set to lead the line instead.
But he has been placed on the bench in case the Nou Camp giants need him to rescue the game.
Barcelona could call on Lionel Messi to rescue them tonight
Lionel Messi is being rested with one eye on Saturday’s Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Valencia.
Luis Suarez is also only on the bench, while Gerard Pique misses out altogether.
Barcelona are 11 points ahead of second-place Atletico Madrid heading into this clash.
Celta, meanwhile, can move eighth with a victory.
The match kicks off at 8pm and you can follow all the action LIVE right here.
?????? Barça XI
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 17, 2018
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?????? Barça subs:
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 17, 2018
13. Cillessen
9. Suárez
10. Messi
18. Jordi Alba
20. S. Roberto
22. Aleix Vidal
23. Umtiti
???????????? #CeltaBarça https://t.co/JVOBvoT5ma
Barcleona team to face Celta Vigo
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Semedo, D. Suarez, Dembele, Coutinho, Paulinho, Alcacer, Digne, Gomes, Mina, Vermaelen.
Subs: Cillessen, Alba,Vidal, Umtiti, Roberto, L Suarez, Messi