Barcelona striker Luis Suarez reckons Lionel Messi came in for some rough treatment against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday.
The captain returned to the starting XI for the match but could not find the back of the net, as Barcelona were held to a goalless draw.
Suarez played down suggestions Messi was not fully fit after the match and offered an alternative explanation for his subdued showing.
“If he played, then it’s because he’s at one hundred percent,” he said.
”However, it was difficult for him to play because he was being constantly fouled.