Messi rested by Barcelcona against Inter

BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

L ionel Messi will not play in Barcelona's match against Inter Milan in the Champions League today.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is resting Messi for the team's final Group F game in Italy.

The Catalan club has already secured a spot in the knockout stage as the group leader. They have four more points than Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund, who host already eliminated Slavia Prague.

Only the top two in each group advance to the round of 16.

Valverde is also resting defender Gerard Pique and midfielder Sergi Roberto. Out injured are Ousmane Dembele, Arthur, Jordi Alba, and Nelson Semedo.

Among those who made the trip to Italy are Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann, and teenager Ansu Fati.

Messi scored a hat-trick last Saturday in Barcelona's 5-2 win over Mallorca in the Spanish league.