Former Tottenham player and La Liga expert Terry Gibson believes Lionel Messi will play their final Champions League group game against Spurs even though Barcelona have made it to the next round of the Champions League.
Spurs have to beat the Catalans at the Nou Camp to guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds of the competition and Gibson claimed that the Spanish giants will field a much-changed side to face Spurs, but Messi would be involved.
Gibson was quoted by the Daily Star:
“I’d been hoping for some time Barcelona would be through when this game came around.
“It always means they field a very different side to their strongest eleven. They’ll leave players out and won’t risk anyone with injury.”
The Catalans have numerous players with slight niggles and injuries, and Gibson added that Luis Suarez might not be risked in the tie, however, Messi would play due to his stature.
“Luis Suarez is only just coming back from his knee problem so, fingers crossed, he doesn’t play. Unfortunately, Messi is different. He’s a tourist attraction for so many fans who go to the Nou Camp.
“It’s almost an obligation he plays so they can say they saw the great man.”
The former star believed Messi would not play to his full capacity but Spurs will have to be careful in dealing with the Argentine.
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Gibson also thought we have a great chance of winning at the Nou Camp. If we play as we did against Chelsea a few weeks ago, there is no doubt we can pick up three points in Spain. All of our big players have to turn up and be counted in one of the biggest games of the season.
