Lionel Messi not named in Barcelona Champions League squad – if Inter Milan win, Borussia Dortmund go out

Lionel Messi has been left out of Barcelona’s Champions League squad to face Inter Milan on Tuesday.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde appears to be resting Messi, who scored his 53rd career hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Mallorca on Saturday.

AFP or licensors 1 Lionel Messi has been left at home for the trip to the San Siro

Valverde can afford to be without his star man for the Inter clash with his side already through to the knockout stages.

Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund are fighting it out to join them in the last-32.

Both clubs are level on seven points, however, Antonio Conte’s men occupy second spot due to their better head-to-head record against the German giants.

Messi scored in a 3-1 win over Dortmund on matchday five, which saw Inter leapfrog them into second with their victory in Prague.

Dortmund are likely to beat Slavia Prague, who are winless in their five group games, while Inter could fancy their chances against a potentially weakened Barcelona team.

Valverde has also left Gerard Pique at home, but has included first-team regulars Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong in his squad to face Inter.

With a challenging trip to fourth-placed Real Sociedad in LaLiga coming up this weekend, Valverde could rest more key men.

Youngsters Ronald Araujo, Riqui Puig, Dani Morer and Ansu Fati could get possible runouts at the San Siro.