Messi benched for Barcelona's Catalan derby clash with Espanyol
Barcelona have left out star man Lionel Messi for Sunday's La Liga clash against Catalan rivals Espanyol.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Five times a week
FourFourTwo Daily
Fantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.
Once a week
...And it’s LIVE!
Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
Lionel Messi has been named among the substitutes for Barcelona's derby game at Espanyol on Sunday, the first time the Argentina superstar has not started a La Liga game this season.
With Barca enjoying an 11-point lead at the top of the table, Ernesto Valverde likely has an eye on Thursday's Copa del Rey semi-final with Valencia.
In Messi's absence, Paco Alcacer starts his fifth league game of the campaign, with Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho also named in attack.
Full-backs Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto are also among the subs, with Nelson Semedo and Lucas Digne starting for Barca at RCDE Stadium.
Messi scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, which Barca won 5-0 in September.
Barca have a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of the Copa semi-final with Valencia, Messi having set up Suarez at Camp Nou for the only goal of the game.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
