Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has affirmed that he was not talking about Lionel Messi when he urged his senior players to step up earlier this week.
Despite the never-ending speculation over his future, Messi continues to be the main man for Barcelona with 23 goals and eight assists in all competitions this term.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner bagged a second-half brace as Barca cruised to a 3-0 win over Elche on Wednesday evening, and Koeman has now demanded that his Blaugrana players "make a difference" alongside Messi.
Clarifying his earlier comments to reporters after the game, the Barcelona manager said: "When I spoke about the experienced players I was not talking about him.
"He keeps scoring lots of goals. It's the others that have to start making a difference, not Messi. He is already making a difference and he did it again in this game.
"Everyone could see that we lacked intensity in rhythm in the first half. It's a good thing that as the captain Messi demands more intensity."
Barcelona's victory on Wednesday sees them remain third in the La Liga table - five points worse off than leaders Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Ben Knapton
