Lionel Messi and Neymar Selections Defended by Barcelona Boss Luis Enrique

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has played down reports Lionel Messi is still carrying an injury by saying he would never risk an unfit player.

Messi autobiographer Guillem Balague previously told Sky Sports' Revista de La Liga that the player "has a problem which gives him pain." This kept him out of Argentina's recent matches against El Salvador and Ecuador, but Messi played 90 minutes during Barca's 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Enrique addressed the press prior to his side's clash with Almeria on Wednesday, suggesting he won't play any of his stars if they aren't 100 percent, per AS: "I don't take risks. I would say to the Barca fan that I always put out players who are fit to play."

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Further comments from Balague's appearance on Revista de La Liga can be read below:

"

He has a problem which gives him pain. For two weeks he was having trainers instead of boots (in training), now he has boots that are not as tight on his foot. He has something on the side of his foot, which gives him pain.

[...] He will continue playing and in Spain (they say) nothing is broken, nothing serious, but nothing seems to be going.

"

Enrique also took time to reiterate exactly why Neymar continues to make it into his starting lineup, despite a lack of goals, as reported by AS: "I'm not worried about him. He is out of this world as a player. The way he trains, I'm sure the goals will come back. He gives a lot of important things to the team."

Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC highlighted Neymar's excellent tally across the season:

Barcelona are currently four points clear of Real Madrid atop La Liga. Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez have developed into the frightening combination many expected across the course of the season, scoring 57 league goals between them (despite Suarez being banned until October), per WhoScored.com.

B/R UK's Sam Tighe believes the trio should be classed among the best:

Messi's turn of form since losing out on the 2014 Ballon d'Or vote has been noticeable, particularly in comparison to last year. He struggled with injury at the end of 2013, which filtered into his play for the latter months of the previous season.

It looked as if he would take this year's Golden Shoe prize until Cristiano Ronaldo scored a ridiculous five during Madrid's recent win over Granada, moving to 36 in total, four ahead of Messi. As such, the Argentinian cannot afford to miss any of Barcelona's remaining matches if he's to catch his eternal rival.

Neymar is improving all the time at Barca. He is a regular goalscorer, despite the recent dip. Perhaps more impressive is his willingness to fit in at the Camp Nou, to learn that use of the ball and bringing team-mates into matches is often far more effective than trying to dribble beyond everyone. He was susceptible to doing this at Santos but has matured over the last two years.

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With Barca's lead currently allowing them at least one loss atop the Spanish division, it would be foolish for Enrique to play Messi unnecessarily.

This would potentially create problems in the long term, something which cannot be risked considering how important he still is to the club.