The star is smart enough to know when to exert himself and may do serious harm consequently.
Eibar head coach Jose Mendilibar considers Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi does not have to miss any games since he can only break while on the pitch.
Ahead of the Catalans’ Champions League clash against Napoli on Tuesday, Quique Setien’s side face Eibar at La Liga on Saturday with question marks over whether Messi will be involved from the start.
Mendilibar is, however, determined that the Argentine legend does not have to be rested as he is an expert at just exerting himself when he needs to.
“I do not think [Messi] rests,” Mendilibar said throughout his pre-match media conference, through Marca.
“This b*stard rests in the match. He knows when he has to take part when to break.
“If he had been given the day he would get a worse time watching from the stands and get more tired.”
Mendilibar understands firsthand the damage Messi can do in a brief space of time, remembering a previous match between the 32-year-old where he scored twice as a replacement, despite being ill in the build-up into the experience.
“After with Osasuna, we went to play with a Copa del Rey match [in the Camp Nou]. In the morning of the match [Messi] was ruled out because he had a problem with his stomach and had a fever,” Mendilibar stated.
“After eating, he had been called up, he was on the bench, we were losing 2-0 and I see him warming up.
“He came on, scored two goals and we lost 4-0.”
Eibar, 16th in La Liga, are only three points clear of the relegation zone, but Mendilibar thinks they are capable of analyzing Barcelona on their own turf.
“We have been watching what they’re doing,” he noted. “You see what they do and it looks like a scary movie.
“We need to be convinced that we can have something to say. I don’t know whether it’ll be a lot or somewhat, but if there’s something we do well, it is putting all of the obstacles of the world facing the opponent.
“We don’t need to be afraid or doubtful.”
A win on Saturday is vital for the Catalans, who are one point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
