Messi behaviour on pitch is impeccable, FC Barcelona coach says

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique defended the integrity of Lionel Messi on Saturday after the Argentine was hit with a lengthy ban from international football for insulting an assistant referee.

Messi was handed a four-game suspension by FIFA on Tuesday for the incident during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier.

It was reported that the suspension, which came less than six hours to the match, forced him out of his side’s 2-0 defeat by Chile.

Messi is suspended for Barca’s La Liga game at Granada on Sunday after collecting five yellow cards in the league season, although he has only committed seven fouls in the campaign.

He had received the majority of the bookings for dissent.

“Those numbers are incredible. He is super respectful towards referees and he never causes controversy,” Enrique said.

“We should appreciate that, especially when you consider he is the best player in the world. He is always under pressure and with everyone watching his every move. His behaviour is impeccable.”

Enrique also confirmed that defender Gerard Pique has been rested for the trip to struggling Granada, who are seven points adrift of safety.

He however said neither absentee would tempt him to alter his side’s new 3-4-3 formation.

“It won’t affect our style of play because we can use the same system irrespective of who is available and we will because we believe it’s the best system for us,” the former Spanish international added.

Barca trail leaders Real Madrid by two points in the standings and have played a game more than Zinedine Zidane’s side, who host Alaves on Sunday four hours before Barca’s game.

Messi is the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and has scored nine times in his last seven appearances in all competitions for Barca.

They have dropped five points in the three games he has sat out this season.

“Of course we would love to be able to count on Messi on Sunday, but the good thing is that he gets to rest and that will serve him well,” Enrique said.