Ronald Koeman: 'Lionel Messi gets more tired when he does not play'

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has rejected suggestions that he could rest Lionel Messi for this weekend's La Liga clash with Getafe ahead of a busy run of matches.

The Catalan giants are back in league action against Getafe on Saturday and are now facing seven games in the space of 21 days, including El Clasico against Real Madrid next weekend.

There have been claims that Messi, who has been away with Argentina during the recent international break, could be left out of the side on Saturday.

However, Koeman has insisted that the 33-year-old "gets more tired when he does not play", suggesting that there will be no rest for the club's star player.

"Messi could play in the next four games," Koeman told reporters on Friday. "He is one of those players who must play, he gets more tired when he does not play."

The South American, who attempted to leave Camp Nou over the summer, has scored once and provided two assists in three La Liga outings during the 2020-21 campaign.