Thiago: We are not dependent on Messi

Barcelona midfielder Thiago has insisted his team are not dependent on superstar Lionel Messi.

Messi missed from the penalty spot on Wednesday against Valencia in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie, which ended 1-1.

“Messi was born a winner,” Thiago said. “Yesterday he was brave enough to take the ball and take responsibility for the penalty. He didn’t score, but that’s football.”

Asked if Barca rely too heavily on their Argentine superstar, who has scored 174 goals in his last 194 appearances for the club, Thiago said the squad has quality across every line.

“We have the best player in the world among us but we are not dependent on him,” he said.

“We have to exploit and use the power of each player. And if we have players like him we’ll try to rely on him or on Xavi. I am only talking about two of them but there are so many.”

Thiago believes Barcelona can win the title, despite slipping seven points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid.

“I think we still can (win the league). This team has achieved a lot of things that others haven’t along their history. I think we can.”