Twitter explodes as Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is benched by Ronald Koeman 

The Barcelona team sheet on Saturday had a shocking omission, as club captain Lionel Messi found his name on the bench instead of the starting XI. The Barcelona legend has started every La Liga game for the Catalans under Ronald Koeman but was benched for the game against Real Betis at the Camp Nou.

While there were suggestions that Lionel Messi could be injured, those fears were eased swiftly by Barcelona's assistant manager Alfred Schreuder, who admitted that the Argentine had played too many games already this season.

"Messi? If someone isn't fresh, he starts on the bench. He has played many consecutive games."

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi benched for the first time in over a year

In Lionel Messi's absence, Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann lead the line for Barcelona, while teenage sensation Pedri was stationed as a #10. The last time Barcelona started a game with Lionel Messi on the bench was in September 2019, when Ernesto Valverde's side were beaten 2-0 by Granada.

The Argentine has not been at his best this season and is yet to score from open play in all competitions. Lionel Messi, however, is still one of the best players in the world and is expected to return to his best in the coming weeks.

Here are the best Tweets after the Barcelona team sheet was released with Lionel Messi on the bench.

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Koeman to critics: "Messi is mentally good, enjoying this sport."#BarcaBetis - 10:15am ET on beIN SPORTShttps://t.co/6PUyswZDWt

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) November 7, 2020

Alfred Schreuder (assistant Koeman): "Messi? If someone isn't fresh, he starts on the bench. He has played many consecutive games." [movistar]

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 7, 2020

Messi benched!! Massive advantage for Barcelona ffs

— J. (@TotalKroos) November 7, 2020

MESSI BENCHED LMAOOOOOOOOOO HE'S FINISHED

— Mu. (@FutbolMuu) November 7, 2020

Koeman does everything backwards. Instead of resting Messi vs Dinamo Kiev he rests him today, in a must win game against a top La Liga side. I’m speechless.

— José (@josepintoj) November 7, 2020

Wonderful how we don’t really know why Messi is on the bench today. Hope it’s for him to rest, he needs it.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) November 7, 2020

In order for Messi to get his first goal of the season from open play, Koeman will sub on him late vs tired legs to increase his scoring chances. Smart.

— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) November 7, 2020

Barca about to put in their best performance of the season. Will play as a team rather than forcing play through Messi. Griezmann masterclass imminent.This isn’t a knock on Messi either, just highlighting Barca’s tendency to overplay through him. https://t.co/enwZzdGSE0

— TR (@TacticalRole) November 7, 2020

The last time Messi was on the bench was against Granada in September 2019, we lost 2 - 0#Barcelona pic.twitter.com/31z8e1KK7B

— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) November 7, 2020

Rumours that Messi has ankle discomfort, so let’s see if he comes on today to be sure. And more importantly, could this mean he misses Argentina’s games? And rests for two weeks during the international break?

— TalkFCB (@FCBNewsRoom) November 7, 2020

I would have maybe rested Messi's in the CL against Dynamo and not today when you desperately need a win in the league, but whatever, not like anything matters anymore.

— Diana Kristinne (@DianaKristinne) November 7, 2020

TV3 reporting Messi not risked from the starts as has a slight ankle problem

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) November 7, 2020

📰 — The club says that Messi's replacement is due to technical reasons, and not because of an ankle injury. [rac1] pic.twitter.com/wpXbh6Iofz

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 7, 2020

Lionel Messi starts on the bench in LaLiga for the first time since September 2019. https://t.co/wagujZ1XTQ

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 7, 2020

(🌕) Messi case:• Ankle discomfort, acc to TV3• Acc to Koeman’s Assistant: "If a player is not fresh, he starts from the bench"• Club says it is a technical decision• Messi, if he rests, prefers to enter in the 2nd Half against tired opponents@HelenaCondis #FCB 🇦🇷

— Hagrid ✆ (@HagridFCB) November 7, 2020

Lionel Messi's omission from the starting eleven is due to ankle discomfort. [tv3 via @edupolo]

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 7, 2020

I just don’t understand why you don’t rest Messi against Dynamo Kyiv... but DO rest him in one of the most important games of our season.

— TalkFCB (@FCBNewsRoom) November 7, 2020

Barcelona name their XI to play Real Betis 🔵🔴No Messi 👀 pic.twitter.com/NJbVS77Gk3

— Goal (@goal) November 7, 2020

Leo Messi starts on the bench for Barca today 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ehfw5DDKDs

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 7, 2020