Messi is one short of equalling Gerd Muller's record of 85, but after suffering an injury after coming against Benfica last night Vilanova was questioned about his decision.

“Muller’s record? Everyone but Messi talks about that,” he argued. “If he was focused on it he’d have played from the start.

“Messi playing 30 minutes was talked through, it was part of his physical training programme. You can also get injured in training. I gave him the last 30 minutes because it was a good workout and he loves competing. I would do it again.

“Messi was a bit worried, which is normal when you don’t know what it is. After the first tests by the doctors, he was calm.”