Messi played every minute in 22 of 23 matches since April 2, logging more than 2,000 minutes during the span. His last game off was April 27. He recently set an MLS record scoring two goals in five straight matches, and six of his last seven in the regular season.

To secure extra time to meet city council approval, Barcelona asked UEFA for the club’s first Champions League fixture of the season—which would fall midway through September—to be on the road. The club’s first three La Liga matches are already confirmed as away games.