Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde insists Lionel Messi will not be distracted from his quest of winning a treble with his club this season – even though the World Cup is looming this summer.
A club-versus-country wrangle is rumoured to be brewing between Barcelona and Argentina.
Argentine federation chief Claudio Tapia revealed that he has asked Messi to play fewer games for Barcelona between now and the end of the season, in order to conserve his energy for Russia.
Messi, who will turn 31 on June 24, is heading into the last World Cup of his prime years and will be desperate to go one further after Argentina lost in the final to Germany in 2014.
But Valverde is adamant that Messi does not sacrifice either his club or country ambitions for the other.
“I have full confidence in all my players and especially Messi,” Valverde said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Eibar.
“His aim is to win everything with Barcelona and his national team.”
📸 Photos of the trip to Durango, where the first team are staying the night
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 16, 2018
🛫 #EibarBarça
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A more pressing concern for Valverde is his Barca’s recent form, as they drew a blank at home to Getafe in La Liga last week.
After facing Eibar, they have just a three-day break before travelling to Chelsea for the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League clash.
“It is more mental than physical, the weeks when you have four days rest you can manage better than three,” added Valverde.
“We will have three before we take on Chelsea and Chelsea will have four. That day extra, to have a break from the pressure of staying in the cup is good to have.”
