Messi’s back, but who should Barcelona drop?

Messidependencia (n.) - Reliance upon miniature Argentine genius

For far too long, Barcelona have relied heavily, if understandably, upon the magic produced by their Argentine wizard; without him, El Blaugrana have looked all too mortal, and the mess that was Messi’s injury was expected to provide a stern test for coach 'Tata' Martino.

However, in the Flea's absence Barça’s other attackers have stepped up to the task at hand, providing Martino with a pleasant problem as Messi returns from the sidelines. And Tata's decisions in their latest La Liga win shows how far Martino has come in weaning the club off their dependence.

For the 4-0 win over Elche, Martino opted to leave the club’s big summer buy Neymar on the bench. As a result, Alexis Sanchez, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas were all handed starts – and the trio were far from shambolic.

 

Alexis, who featured on the right flank, bagged his first hat-trick for the Catalan club, including a brilliantly taken free-kick – a far cry from his underwhelming two previous seasons. Pedro, also in fine form recently, set up a goal for the Chilean and scoring Barça’s second goal. Fabregas too was inspired, setting up Pedro's goal before winning a penalty.

 

The win keeps Barcelona above Atletico Madrid on goal difference. And things are about to get a whole lot better. 

 

Having barely missed a beat, Messi marked his return from injury last week with an open training session in front of a packed Minie Estadi and wowed supporters by scoring a hat-trick. And with his return to the starting XI a certainty, which star will Martino drop to the bench in order to make way for the Argentine?

Since a slow start to the season where he was restricted to substitute appearances, Pedro has finally rediscovered the form that made him one of the team’s most coveted yet underrated attackers. The 26-year-old has scored 11 in 17 league appearances this season and added 4 assists.

Alexis has also bagged 11 times in just 14 appearances, one being the memorable chip which sealed Barça's latest El Clasico win. And the Chilean credits his good run of form to Martino: “Tata has given me the confidence a player needs."

 

Despite warming the bench over the weekend, Neymar too has enjoyed a productive start to life at Barcelona, scoring 6 and setting up another 7 goals in 15 appearances. 

 

It all gives Martino food for thought ahead of this weekend's top-of-the-table clash against Atletico at the Vicente Calderon. Asked at the weekend whether or not he knew who would feature, Martino remained coy: “In truth I don't even know what the XI will be on Wednesday [against Getafe in the Copa del Rey]. I think he [Messi] is mentally ready to play against Atletico, but we won't pick anyone if they're not fully recovered. If he doesn't feel right, he won't play."

 

By Tuesday, the return looked more imminent, with Martino naming Messi in his 18-man squad for the Getafe game. "Leo feels good," said the coach. "He has been training well, and he's ready to play now. I'll decide tomorrow if Messi starts the game or not."

 

Whenever it comes, Messi’s return means that Fabregas will be pushed back into his usual playmaker role, with one of the attacking trio – Neymar, Pedro and Alexis – missing out. And despite the competition for places, Martino remains adamant that the Argentine’s return would only serve the purpose of helping the team. "The return of the best player in the world will not overshadow the others," he said. "On the contrary, with Leo we'll be even better."

 

As it stands, Alexis and Pedro are the favourites to miss out on a spot. Whatever unfolds, Martino can rest easy that he has the ability of calling up any one of his inspired forwards. "The sensations are good, we are in form and our best moment is yet to come." 

Latest in Analysis
England players celebrate after Myles Lewis-Skelly scored the opening goal in the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Albania at Wembley Stadium, London, March 2025
Stats and facts to set the scene as England face Latvia in World Cup qualifying
Wales players celebrate a goal against Iceland during the UEFA Nations League match at the Cardiff City Stadium, November 2024
A goal-fest in store as Wales entertain Kazakhstan in their first game of 2025?
Northern Ireland players celebrate after Isaac Price scored to complete a hat-trick in the UEFA Nations League match against Bulgaria at Windsor Park in Belfast, October 2024
Here's what to watch out for as in-form Northern Ireland gear up for Switzerland friendly
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 18, 2025 in Burton-upon-Trent, England Journalist and Media pundit, Henry Winter looks on from the press box during the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park on June 03, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
'Where’s the "one of our own" that’s remotely good enough? The FA needed to be pragmatic, not patriotic.' Writing exclusively for FourFourTwo Henry Winter reminds England fans why they have good reason to be smiling
Andy Robertson celebrates with John McGinn after scoring Scotland's winning goal in stoppage time against Poland in the Nations League in Warsaw, November 2024
Three things to keep an eye on as Scotland look to avoid Nations League relegation in Greece play-off
England manager Thomas Tuchel speaks at a press conference, March 2025
What to look out for as Thomas Tuchel's England tenure gets underway with Albania clash
Latest in Features
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Orlando Pride players raise the trophy during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch NWSL: Live streams, TV information for National Women's Soccer League 2025
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2024 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024.
Who are the contenders for the Ballon d'Or Féminin?
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen