Why Lionel Messi is not playing for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga opener- Barcelona news now #BarcelonaFC #barcelonanews #barcelonatransfer #messi Lionel Messi starred for Barcelona once against last season. The 32-year-old scored 36 goals and provided 15 assists as the Catalan giants secured the La Liga title. However, Barca will still feel they have a point to prove this term after their Champions League capitulation at the hands of Liverpool and the Copa del Rey final defeat by Valencia. Messi famously addressed a packed Nou Camp ahead of the 2018/19 season saying the club would be going all-out for Champions League glory. The Argentine, though, does not regret making the declaration. Speaking ahead of the new campaign, Messi said: “I don't regret anything. I can only repeat what I said last season.“I believe in this squad, in these players, in the coaching staff. Together, we are going to fight for everything.”Barcelona travel to San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao this evening but talisman Messi won’t be involved. Messi was not included in the squad list for the trip to Bilbao. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner picked up a calf injury in pre-season and subsequently missed Barca’s tour of the United States. He has not played competitively since the Copa America. Messi has been doing recovery ...