Injured Barcelona star Lionel Messi has failed to rule out leaving the Treble winners in the future, and has denied he is in competition with Ballon d'Or rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.

Substitute Ivan Rakitic scored twice to earn Barcelona a 2-0 victory over BATE on Tuesday and move the European champions three points clear at the top of Group E.

Sergio Busquets has hailed Barcelona teammate Neymar for his sizzling form on the pitch, but says the loss of Lionel Messi to injury is still being felt within the Blaugrana team.

Barcelona striker Neymar’s father confirmed that Manchester United had tried to lure the star to the Premier League, but the offer was dismissed.

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has labelled Barcelona star Lionel Messi the opponent he has had the most difficulty facing.

Pressure on Neymar and Suarez grow with each match as Barcelona look to regain momentum and head the La Liga without Messi in their ranks.

German football idol Lothar Matthaus has thrown his weight behind Lionel Messi to win the 2015 Ballon d'Or, insisting that no-one else merits the award.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says he feels "responsibility" to try and compensate for the loss of Lionel Messi during his injury layoff.

Zinedine Zidane has voiced his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and believes the rivalry with Barcelona ace Lionel Messi only spurs on the Real Madrid attacker.

Neymar believes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and himself were always going to be a success for Barcelona.

Lionel Messi posted a cryptic Instagram message on Friday as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Ivan Rakitic has labelled Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar "football magicians".

A Barcelona side without the injured Lionel Messi head to face Sevilla at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, desperate to move back to the summit of La Liga.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique launched a staunch defence of his players after they came from behind without the injured Lionel Messi to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 on Tuesday.

Barcelona were beaten for the first time in La Liga this season as Celta romped to a stunning 4-1 victory at Balaidos on Wednesday.

Catalonia may not be a state, but it can count on a small and symbolic red and blue army in the form of European football champions Barcelona.

LFP president Javier Tebas has said that Barcelona and Espanyol would be unable to play in La Liga if Catalunya becomes independent from Spain.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says that Lionel Messi's penalty issues do not make the Blaugrana superstar seem any less of a visitor from another planet.

Cristiano Ronaldo can move ahead of Raul as Real Madrid's top goalscorer of all time as Los Blancos take on Athletic Bilbao.

The Barcelona star has hinted that there is more magic to come after he celebrated 100 games in Champions League.