Messi scored from the spot before playing a key role in winning a second penalty as Barcelona snatched a 6-5 aggregate win, but that has not stopped Domenech claiming he was Barca’s worst player at the Camp Nou.

Domenech also hinted that Luis Suarez and Neymar have usurped Messi in the pecking order, saying the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is constantly having bad games.

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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) celebrates after scoring a goal with Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) and Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match FC Barcelon Image credit: AFP

"The worst Barcelona player in this game, it was [Messi]. He was in the centre of the pitch, like when he does not want to run," Domenech said, as reported by Goal.

"His bad games, he’s always doing that, he’s coming down, he believes he organises, he wants to do everything.

I think he’s at the end, but he gave so much, he was so magical. He was on and off, he was missing. Neymar was breath-taking because he fought, he believed. Until the end, he was attacking. Him and Suarez, but Suarez is different, he should wear boxing gloves.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) celebrates after scoring a goal with with Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar (L) and Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique (2L) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match FC Barcel Image credit: AFP

The stats suggest there is no need to panic. Messi has scored 39 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions this season, having found the net in 17 of his past 21 outings.

By contrast, chief rival Cristiano Ronaldo has 25 club goals, with Luis Suarez (28) and Neymar (14) also trailing.

"Embroiled in problems about extending his contract, Messi does not have the energy he had when he was 20 years old," Domenech added to L’Equipe.

It is not easy to see that gradually he is losing his gifts. He insists on taking free-kicks even though Neymar takes them better, all so that he can continue to be the demigod he has been. He is more calculated now. He has lost that spontaneity and strength in his dribbling.

Domenech managed France from 2004 to 2010, leading them into two World Cups.

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