Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic admits they're feeling Lionel Messi's absence.

Saturday's 5-0 triumph over Sporting Gijon was followed up with a hard-fought 2-1 Champions League win against Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

“We're talking about the best player in history," Rakitic said.

“It's always better when Messi's available, but we have to let him recover properly, give him time. This win was also for him, I'm sure he enjoyed it."