Enrique confirms Messi is fit, ready to play after groin injury

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says Lionel Messi should be good to go for this weekend's La Liga fixture against CD Alaves, a match the Argentina attacker was initially a doubt for after picking up a groin injury while on international duty.

Messi returned to training midweek and took part in a full session on Friday. Enrique will have the 29-year-old available for selection on Saturday; however, with the Blaugrana playing a Champions League match against Celtic three days later, Enrique says he needs to manage minutes, too.

"He is in condition to be able to play," Luis Enrique said, according to ESPN FC. "I've spoke with him like I speak with all my players and we know how he is.

"We have to analyse the situation and keep in mind what's best for the player and make sure he's in the best condition possible ... We have a lot of commitments throughout the season and we always focus on (what is best) for the player."

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With Neymar also returning and Paco Alcacer now in the mix, Enrique has plenty of firepower from which to draw on for the next two matches, and beyond. With only so many spaces on the playing field, some players will unfortunately find themselves left out of the starting lineup.

"Every week there are going to be incredible players on the bench or in the stands," Enrique said said. "I'm not a wizard, I can't make all the players happy. There's not one player happy with the minutes they play, but they know I'm not a wizard.

"They all have the same objective, though, which is to win titles, which is why we've signed these players.

"We always have to look for the benefit of the team."