Lionel Messi to sit out Barcelona trip to Ferencvaros

Ronald Koeman says star forward 'won't be rested any more' after Wednesday's Champions League match

Barcelona's Lionel Messi - wearing a Newell's Old Boys jersey in memory of late Argentinian legend Diego Maradona - celebrates after scoring during their 4-0 against Osasuna at Camp Nou on October 29. EPA

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after scoring their sides fourth goal while wearing a Newell's Old Boys shirt with the No 10 on the back in memory of Diego Maradona. Getty

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their fourth goal. Reuters

Barcelona's Lionel Messi shoots during the match against Osasuna at the Camp Nou. AFP

Barcelona's midfielder Philippe Coutinho celebrates his goal with teammates at the Camp Nou. AFP

Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring their third goal with Antoine Griezmann. Reuters

Barcelona's Lionel Messi battles with Osasuna's Raul Navas. Reuters

Barcelona's midfielder Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring his team's second goal. AFP

Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann after scoring against Osasuna. AFP

Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen makes a save. Reuters

Martin Braithwaite of Barcelona scores his sides first goal past Sergio Herrera. Getty

Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho scores on Sunday. Reuters

Lionel Messi will sit out Barcelona's Champions League trip to Hungarian side Ferencvaros as manager Ronald Koeman looks to keep his star forward fresh for further assignments.

Barca's captain had played in every match of the season plus four World Cup qualifiers for Argentina before being rested for last week's 4-0 win at Dynamo Kiev.

The Catalans have already secured safe passage to the last 16, and Koeman said it was more important that Messi was feeling fresh for Saturday's trip to Cadiz as Barca look to make up ground on La Liga leaders Real Sociedad following a poor start to the domestic season.

"I understand that it's not normal for Messi to rest but in this schedule there were only two moments where Messi could rest, the game in Kiev and tomorrow's game," Koeman told a news conference.

"We have to give opportunities to other players and Saturday's game is very important. We need to win. There were only two opportunities to rest him but after tomorrow he won't rest any more."

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Barcelona v Osasuna player ratings

BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 7 – Another clean sheet for the German, who pulled off a number of crucial saves in the second half. Was almost caught out from long range by Jon Moncayola, but was equal to the audacious attempt. Reuters

Sergino Dest 7 – The US wing back doesn’t need any encouragement to attack and with little to do in his own half he overlapped at every opportunity. Combined well with Lionel Messi, showed great energy and found dangerous positions. Reuters

Oscar Mingueza 7 – Making his second start of the week, he once again looked comfortable on the ball. Was tidy in possession, though was almost caught out in the second half when passing out from the back. Could be key given the injuries Koeman has to deal with. AFP

Clement Lenglet 6 – Lenglet’s substitution through injury means Ronald Koeman has another defensive absence to worry about. Had been solid until he limped off. AFP

Jordi Alba 7 – Spent most of the game in the opposition half looking to get crosses in from the left-hand side. Had a hand in the first two goals and combined well with Barca’s front three, though was a bit wasteful in possession. Reuters

Frenkie de Jong 8 – A commanding performance in the middle. Distributed the ball well and showed excellent movement. Then performed admirably as a makeshift centre-back when Lenglet went off. AFP

Pedri 6 – Looked uncomfortable in the middle and got bullied a bit before being substituted at half-time. Plays the simple ball well and did get better towards the break. EPA

Philippe Coutinho 6 – Scored from close range in the second half but should have had a hat-trick. Missed a sitter from close range after Griezmann had rounded the keeper and squared the ball to him, and also fired over with a half-volley. Reuters

Antoine Griezmann 8 – Looks happier playing in the No 10 role, and he scored an excellent volley before winning the ball back for Barca’s third. Could have scored a couple. EPA

Lionel Messi 8 – Spent the game causing havoc when cutting in from the right and, together with Dest, they formed a formidable duo. Set up the second and scored Barca’s fourth. Reuters

Martin Braithwaite 7 – Scored Barca’s first goal and, for the second time in a week, was in the right place at the right time to bundle home from close range. Worked hard for the team, and his presence freed Messi. AFP

SUB: Sergio Busquets (Pedri) 6 – Looked comfortable in possession and kept the ball transitioning from back to front, though Barca looked more vulnerable with him in the pivot role. AFP

SUB: Ousmane Dembele (Coutinho) 6 – A lively half-hour included a disallowed goal. Looks better when he comes off the left-hand side. Reuters

SUB: Junior Firpo (Dest) 6 – Was asked to do a job playing at right-back and didn’t disappoint. Did his bit for the team. AFP

SUB: Trincao (Braithwaite) 7 – Looked extremely lively when he came on and was unlucky not to find the net; he dragged his shot wide when he was put through on goal by Messi. Reuters

SUB: Carles Alena (Lenglet) 6 – Was solid if not unspectacular when he came on. Made some good passes and was constantly looking to pass between the lines. EPA

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Barca have won all four Champions League games but may need to beat Ferencvaros and avoid defeat in their final game at home to Juventus, who trail them by three points, to clinch top spot in Group G and be seeded for the last-16 draw.

First-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and record signing Philippe Coutinho were also absent from the squad although Frenkie de Jong, who was left at home last week alongside Messi, was included.

French defender Clement Lenglet was named in the squad after limping off in Saturday's 4-0 win over Osasuna, along with 21-year-old Oscar Mingueza who made his league debut in the game.