Lionel Messi's Drug Test Complaints Answered by Authorities

Enrique Gomez Bastida, director of Spain's anti-doping measures, has confirmed there should be "no surprises" over Lionel Messi receiving a double testing on Monday.

Bastida, as reported by Juan Gutierrez of AS, has confirmed these measures are "random" and that Spanish authorities hold no "suspicion" over the Barcelona forward potentially breaking any rules.

He also revealed all clubs from the nation's top two divisions knew five players would be tested throughout the season, with one being randomly selected to undergo a blood and urine sample.

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"We explained the new parameters (at the beginning of the season) so there would be no surprises later, so they would know the surprise (out of competition) controls would be part of the routine," said Bastida, per Gutierrez.

Bastida then clarified the situation surrounding Messi, as noted by Gutierrez (h/t Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC):

"

All are subject to a urine test, while one also has a blood test. In the case of Messi and the Barcelona players, it was totally random. Unless we have some reason to suspect a player, and in this case we did not, it is always like this.

"

The Argentinian forward caused something of a stir after the testing had taken place. He posted an Instagram image and caption suggesting he was deliberately targeted, as seen below:

Gutierrez translated Leo's messages to English, which read: "Doping control. Of the five chosen, I was the only one who had to give urine and blood samples...bit strange isn't it?"

Bastida confirmed specific players can be targeted if there's an "objective" reason to do so, per Corrigan. He suggested this might happen "if someone has played and stood out in every game," before admitting this "could" be Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

He indicated that these icons are "more protected" than most, however, and suggested individuals from "smaller teams" are more likely to receive a deliberate double test. All but five clubs throughout the top two Spanish divisions have been tested already this campaign.

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Messi has scored 20 goals and provided nine assists in 19 appearances across La Liga and the Champions League this season, as recorded by WhoScored.com. He is third favourite to win the 2014 Ballon d'Or behind Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer, according to Oddschecker.com, and he remains Barcelona's most important player at a time of Camp Nou change.

Summer acquisition Claudio Bravo recently admitted he cannot fathom Barca without their talisman. The goalkeeper opened up to FOX Sports (h/t Jamie Kemp of Inside Spanish Football):

"We have a lot to keep enjoying about Lionel Messi’s game," said Bravo. "Can I imagine Barcelona without him? No, I can’t. With his ability and his age, he still has a lot of football ahead of him."

Messi's season is already defined by him becoming the all-time top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League. He has knocked legendary names such as Telmo Zarra and Raul off their thrones but, perhaps most importantly, reached the European mark before Ronaldo.

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An intriguing back and forth is likely to ensue across the rest of the players' careers. Although Ronaldo's time with Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United ensures he is unlikely to ever challenge Messi's domestic record, he is just two behind Messi's historic 74 in the Champions League.

CR7 scored against Ludogorets on Tuesday night, meaning Messi will head into Wednesday's tie with Paris Saint-Germain knowing he needs a memorable performance.

We've often seen a "what you can do I can do better" response from both individuals, ensuring Messi has an excellent chance of adding to his total when the Blaugrana face the unbeaten French side.