Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu, Ivan Rakitic and Munir El Haddadi are all named by Luis Enrique for Barcelona’s League opener against Elche.
Enrique, appointed in the summer to succeed Tata Martino, gives debuts to Bravo, signed from Real Sociedad, former Valencia defender Mathieu, ex-Sevilla captain Rakitic and 18-year-old Munir.
Javier Mascherano will line up next to Mathieu as the centre-back pairing despite Enrique previously suggesting he saw the Argentina international as a midfielder.
Gerard Pique is suspended as a hold-over from last season, the defender forced to sit out the game after picking up five yellow cards.
Rafinha plays having featured under Enrique at Celta Vigo last year, where he spent the campaign on loan.
It will be Rafinha’s first League appearance for La Blaugrana.
Jordi Masip, Martin Montoya, Marc Bartra, Pedro, Sergi Roberto, Sandro and Xavi Hernandez make up the Barca bench.
Neymar is injured, spraining his left ankle in training late last week, while Luis Suarez remains suspended until October.
Elche appear to have gone for a three-man central defence, with Fran Escriba naming David Lomban, Jose Angel and Sergio Pelegrin among his starting XI.
Alternatively, Angel could play wide in midfield with Edu Albacar going to left-back.
Przemyslaw Tyton, the goalkeeper signed on loan from PSV Eindhoven, takes the gloves, while Jonathas and Coro lead the line.
Mario Pasalic, on loan from Chelsea, joins Pedro Mosquera and Garry Rodrgiues – another loanees, from Levski Sofia – in midfield.
Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba; Rakitic, Busquests, Iniesta; Rafinha, Messi, Munir
Elche: Tyton; Damian, Lomban, J.Angel, Pelegrin, Albacar; Mosquera, Pasalic, Rodrigues; Jonathas, Coro
