Ernesto Valverde: 'Lionel Messi will sit out final Barcelona match of season'

Ernesto Valverde has confirmed that Lionel Messi will not be involved in Barcelona's season finale against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The Argentina international, who is set to feature at the World Cup this summer, has played in 53 games in all competitions for his club this season.

Messi, who was rested for the 5-4 defeat to Levante, also made a brief appearance for Barca during their Mandela Centenary Cup win over South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in midweek.

"He's played a lot of minutes this season and that includes playing with injuries," Valverde told reporters on Saturday. "Now is the moment for him to rest a little.

"He played for 15 minutes in South Africa for contractual reasons. The idea is that he rests."

Sunday's game at Camp Nou will also double up as a farewell to Andres Iniesta, who will leave Barca at the end of the season.