Ernesto Valverde: Lionel Messi didn't ask for me to take him off

Ernesto Valverde: Lionel Messi didn't ask for me to take him off

Ernesto Valverde, entrenador del Barcelona
Ernesto Valverde, entrenador del Barcelona | sport

The coach is not ruling out the Argentine striker from playing against Madrid in the cup

Barcelona drew 2-2 with Valencia on Saturday and Lionel Messi picked up a thigh injury which makes him a doubt for Wednesday's cup Clasico.

"It was a strange first half," said Valverde. "Valencia started very well, generating a clear chance, but apart from that it was us who dominated the play, creating the feeling that we could score."

On Messi, Valverde said: "I can't say exactly what problem he has, I don't know. We will wait. I imagine it's nothing, but we'll wait a few hours. If he's fit, he'll play. Leo didn't ask me to sub him off."

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