Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's season finale in La Liga when the Blaugrana travel to face relegated Eibar.

Ronald Koeman’s side are now well out of the title race after a run of just one win in five games, but after a stuttering start to the season qualification for the Champions League can be seen as a relative success.

Talks over Messi’s future have lingered over Camp Nou like a dark cloud, and although he is tipped to remain with the club, there is a possibility that we have seen the last of the No.10 in a Barca shirt.

The club confirmed that Koeman had given Messi permission to not train nor play at the weekend, citing the busy season and short turnaround ahead of the Copa America.

Messi has once again proven – not that he ever needed to – how incredible he is at this game, with 30 goals and nine assists in 35 league games.

The Argentine has not gone more than two games without scoring since November, single-handedly dragging Barca back into the title race towards the end of the season.

Koeman will also be without the services of star goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the game after the German underwent a knee operation during the week.

That will pave the way for Neto to make his 12th appearance of the season in a defensive structure that will require at least two changes with Clement Lenglet suspended.

Countryman Samuel Umtiti should replace him in the centre, while Sergino Dest is likely to come back in at right wing-back in place of Ousmane Dembele with Jordi Alba remaining on the left.

Sergio Busquets will anchor the midfield again and will welcome the return of partner in crime Frenkie de Jong after the Dutchman missed the defeat to Celta Vigo through suspension.

Pedri will also miss the game, the club confirmed, allowing Ilaix Moriba to complete the midfield trio. This will be the only La Liga game all season that Pedri has failed to appear in.

Antoine Griezmann will headline the front two in Messi's absence. While still not at his best, this season has been much better than the last one for the Frenchman.

Alongside him there should be a place for Dembele to move further forward after his wing-back role last time out.