Barcelona Coach Tata Martino has said Lionel Messi should no longer be considered a player returning from injury.
Messi returned from injury earlier in January but played the full game against Levante on Sunday, having done likewise in the last round of the Copa del Rey against Getafe.
Martino told a Press conference held prior to the Copa fixture with Levante that while he has no problem resting Messi, he’ll only do it when necessary.
“He has completed the last two games and feels good,” Martino said of the Argentine.
“When we feel there is a game he needs to stop then we’ll stop.
“But you must not think of him as a player that’s coming back from injury because he has already played in a normal manner…if normal is possible with Messi.”
Andres Iniesta will miss the Levante game, Mundo Deportivo added, as the midfielder has not felt comfortable in training.
Barca drew at Levante on Sunday, conceding from a set-piece to give the hosts the opening goal.
Set-pieces have proven a weak point of Barca this season but Martino is not planning on changing how his side defends dead balls.
“It’s a problem that we have but it’s to do with size, not marking.
“We will continue to work hard and try to be as robust as possible.”
