Off the wire
• 56 militants killed in Afghanistan: official  • Australian fruit growers using synthetic pollination hormones  • New interpretations needed as China enters new normal: former HK leader  • Interview: U.S. still bent on dominating Cuba: political observer  • China to lower flags at half-mast for late leader Wan Li  • Chinese shares close higher Monday  • EAS officials meet in Cambodia to exchange views on regional security architecture  • Chinese cartoon about U.S. "Flying Tigers" to air on TV  • 1st LD Writethru: U.S. troops mistakenly attack Afghan army checkpoint, killing 8  • Australian surfer Fanning's brush with a shark "terrifying": Prime Minister  
You are here: 　 Home

Messi needs a rest, says Barca coach

Xinhua, July 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said on Monday that the club's star player Leo Messi is desperately in need of a rest.

Speaking at the start of Barca's summer tour of the USA, Luis Enrique looked back at the last 13 months which have seen Messi play the World Cup, helping Argentina to the final of the tournament.

His domestic season was also longer than almost everyone else as Barcelona played the final of the King's Cup and the Champions League, before Messi then competed in the Copa America, where Argentina again reached the final.

Barcelona meanwhile kick off their new campaign on Aug. 17 when they face Athletic Club in the Spanish Supercup, whether or not Messi plays in that is still to be decided, but for the moment, Luis Enrique explained the player was having a well-earned rest.

"Messi's season is almost never ending and he needs to rest," he said. "He is not in the United States because he needs his holiday and I am not going to deny him those no matter where we go on tour."

After leading Barca to the treble last season, it will not be easy to improve on the 2014-15 campaign but Luis Enrique continued to show his ambition.

"I want to win three more titles that in 2015," he commented. "I don't know if it is going to be a calm season or not, but my aim is to do something historic and to be able to do what nobody has done before."

He also hinted that summer signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will not be sent out on loan for the start of the campaign even though that they can't make their debuts until January because of a FIFA ban.

"It doesn't help us that they can't play until January, but I want them with us until then," said the Barca coach.

"I'd rather not have them because they bring more problems than benefits," added Enrique. Endi