Ronald Koeman says his decision to name Lionel Messi on the bench for Barcelona s LaLiga clash with Real Betis was down to the forward carrying a knock.
Messi was absent from Barca s starting line-up for the first time during Koeman s 10-game reign yet still managed to have a major say in his side s 5-2 victory at Camp Nou.
The Argentina international had failed to assist a goal or score from open play in six league matches before Saturday s victory.
It was the first time he had been benched for a league game since September 2019, but Koeman insists he was left out purely for fitness reasons.
We talked yesterday, Koeman said to Movistar Plus. Leo came out of the game against Dynamo Kiev with some discomfort and was not in a position to play from the sta…