Lionel Messi has been named on the bench for Barcelona for their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Amid speculation over the Argentine’s fitness, coach Ernesto Valverde insisted ahead of the encounter that he would not take any risks with his captain.

Summer signing Malcom comes in to replace Messi on the right wing while Nelson Semedo starts ahead of Sergi Roberto at right-back.

Messi suffered from some discomfort in his thigh during Barcelona’s draw with Valencia on Sunday but returned to training on Tuesday ahead of the second El Clasico of the season at Camp Nou.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner however had missed training on Monday.

Valverde had said in a press conference: “I have not seen him yet and I don’t have an answer.

“There is a training session and we will see how he is, whether he can do it and whether he is in the right condition.

“Then we will decide. If he is fit, he will play and if he is not, he will not play.”