Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has revealed his pleasure with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi playing together after overcoming their respective injury concerns. The duo recently started the Champions League clash against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou and Suarez was the man of the match as he bagged both goals in the 2-1 comeback win.

Messi was hugely involved for the winning strike after dribbling his way past four Nerazzurri players before laying the assist for Suarez and the pair could now feature together in the upcoming league clash against Sevilla. Speaking in a press conference, Valverde confirmed that both players are available for the forthcoming clash against Sevilla and he will make the final decision on whether they will start the game.

He told: “Of course they are fit again, they showed that [against Inter]. I will decide on Sunday whether I start one or the other or bring them on later. They are two players who have struggled with injuries this season but the more they play the more form they will get. We like the players to be picked for international duty because it means they’re not injured, because it means they’re playing at their top level.”

Compared to Suarez, Messi has been sidelined for a lengthier period of time this season and he has yet to contribute a goal in the process. Nonetheless, the quality of the Argentine cannot be ignored and he is bound to find the net sooner rather than the later. The Blaugrana are scheduled to entertain Sevilla at home on Sunday evening and a victory would see them within two points off leaders Real Madrid heading into the international break.

Valverde would no doubt want to be cautious with Suarez and Messi but he has the luxury of playing them against Sevilla knowing that they won’t be representing their respective nations during the next fortnight.