Messi rested by Barcelcona against Inter in Champions League

Posted December 09, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Barcelona's Lionel Messi attempts a shot at goal in front of Mallorca's goalkeeper Manolo Reina during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Mallorca at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Lionel Messi will not play in Barcelona's match against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is resting Messi for the team's final Group F game in Italy.

The Catalan club has already secured a spot in the knockout stage as the group leader. It has four more points than Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund, which hosts already eliminated Slavia Prague.

Only the top two in each group advance to the round of 16.

Valverde is also resting defender Gerard PiquÃ© and midfielder Sergi Roberto. Out injured are Ousmane Dembele, Arthur, Jordi Alba, and Nelson Semedo.

Among those who made the trip to Italy are Luis SuÃ¡rez, Antoine Griezmann, and teenager Ansu Fati.

Messi scored a hat trick on Saturday in Barcelona's 5-2 win over Mallorca in the Spanish league.

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Barcelona's Lionel Messi runs with the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Mallorca at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Mallorca at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

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