Ernesto Valverde admitted Barcelona cannot help but depend on Lionel Messi after the talismanic forward scored a hat-trick to inspire a 4-1 La Liga victory over Celta Vigo.
Messi's treble came at the end of a week that began with a 3-1 defeat at Levante and was made even worse by a goalless draw at home against Slavia Prague in the Champions League.
Barcelona were short of their best against struggling Celta at Camp Nou but Messi, who had scored six goals in his previous six games, converted a penalty and two free-kicks to all but carry his side to victory on Saturday.