Tonight’s absence for the match versus Inter will be the first time that Lionel Messi has missed a Champions League game when fit since December 2011, a report in today’s print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport highlights.
The multi-time world player of the year has not been included in Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde’s 20 man squad to take on the Nerazzurri in the final round of group stage action and is one of several Barcelona stars that has not been included in the squad.
With Barcelona already through to the knockout stages of the competition as group winners, it is clear that Valverde has taken the decision not to risk any of his key players given that El Clasico is coming up.
Messi’s absence will come as a real boost to Inter who know that a win will guarantee them passage to the next round. Inter can also make it through if they match Borussia Dortmund’s result.
