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Lionel Messi in decline? He's on a stratospheric level, says Barcelona coach Quique Setien

AP
AP

Barcelona coach Quique Setien has admitted that Lionel Messi's numbers are not quite up to those registered by the Argentine attacker in previous seasons.

Messi equalled Xavi's record of 20 assists in a single league campaign as he set up Arturo Vidal for the winner at Valladolid on Saturday, but the Barca captain has scored only once in the past seven games and is on course for his lowest goals return in LaLiga since 2009.

"He looks good to me," Setien said on Wednesday. "It's true that perhaps there are numbers he hasn't registered, with respect to other years, but we all know who Messi is.

"He needs no introduction. But he's a player on a stratospheric level.

"Everything I can say about him, I have already said."

Messi is the only Barcelona player to have featured for every single minute in the team's nine fixtures since LaLiga restarted last month.

"I'm sure many players need a rest," Setien said. "Their [in-game] stats have been the same, but everyone is losing some lucidity and some spark."

Barca are at home to Osasuna on Thursday night and will look to keep their slim hopes of winning LaLiga alive, but Real Madrid host Villarreal at the same time and will claim the title with a victory in that match.

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