UCL: Dynamo Kiev vs Barcelona - Messi left out of Catalans squad for clash in Ukraine

Head Coach Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi will be missing in action when Barcelona locks horn with Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine in their UEFA Champions League game on Tuesday 24.

Barcelona Argentine forward Lionel Messi. Photo: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Messi's issues at Barcelona have not stopped dominating the headlines after a summer in which he tried to force a move away from the club.

However, the 33-year ended up making a sluggish U-turn and commit to staying for the 2020/21 season.

Ronald Koeman's side are twelve points behind reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid, placed twelfth on the La Liga table after losing to Atletico Madrid by a lone goal.

The Catalans are, however, doing well at the Champions League, topping Group G and Dutch Manager Koeman believes Barcelona don't need to travel with forward Messi after winning three out of three encounters and clinching nine points.

Koeman told reporters: "We've got various players out due to injuries and we've decided that we won't be taking Leo or Frenkie [de Jong] because the situation in the Champions League is quite comfortable for us with the nine points that we've got."

Barcelona squad for match against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine ⬇

The squad for #DynamoBarça! 💪🟦🟥 pic.twitter.com/LDzHAjXAPE

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 23, 2020

"And these two players need to rest because they've played a lot of matches. So we think this is a good moment to rest them."

Victory at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday will secure Barcelona's place at the Knockout stages of the Champions League.

In his three Champions League appearances for Barcelona this season, Messi has scored three times and recorded two assists.

Watch: Ronald Koeman talks about leaving Lionel Messi out of Barcelona squad for Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev ⬇

❝We think this is a good moment to rest them.❞
— @RonaldKoeman on leaving Leo #Messi and @DeJongFrenkie21 out of the squad for #DynamoBarça pic.twitter.com/T9wRT3u6rQ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 23, 2020