Rafinha insists Barcelona do not suffer from Messidependencia

Rafinha rejected the idea that Barcelona are over-reliant on Lionel Messi ahead of the Champions League game against Celtic on Wednesday. 

Barça were held by Malaga on Saturday after Messi withdrew at the last minute with a bug. The Argentine will be back for the game in Scotland, though. 

“Leo is much better [after his illness], but I don’t think there’s a Messidependencia,” Rafinha said. 

“He’s the best player in the world, so we hope he can play tomorrow, but we’re capable of playing well without him.” 

Luis Suarez will also return for the game having missed the Malaga draw through suspension. 

Neymar will complete the front three as Barça look to get back to winning ways.   

“For me it is the best forward line in the world,” Rafinha added. “So it’s very important to have that front line for tomorrow’s game.”

On Neymar, he said about his Ballon d’Or hopes in the future: “I think he’s among the best in the world and if he continues at this level he will definitely get there in the end.”