Barcelona have announced that Lionel Messi will miss Saturday’s trip to Eibar in what is the club’s final fixture of the 2020-21 season.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise but it seems the captain has been given permission to take a bit of a break before his involvement in the Copa America this summer.
Messi did not train on Friday and is the second player to be sent on holiday early with Barca confirming earlier this week that Pedri has been given time off after a busy schedule.
LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi is not training today with the coach's permission and will not play against Eibar pic.twitter.com/ak3F5W527x
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 21, 2021“Leo Messi has not trained on Friday with the coach’s permission and he will not be in the squad for the game against Eibar on Saturday,” the club statement reads.
“The striker can enjoy a rest before next month’s Copa América after a season in which he is one of the players in the squad who has played most.”
Messi should still finish the season as La Liga’s top scorer yet again with 30 goals from 35 appearances. His nearest challenger is Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno on 23 goals.
SB Nation
Image via Twitter @FCBarcelona