Messi accepts need to rest after being a rare Barca sub

Barcelona's Lionel Messi poses with his four Golden Boot trophies during a ceremony in Barcelona, Spain, November 24, 2017. REUTERS/Albert Gea

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi said he understood the importance of resting occasionally in order to stay ripe for the end of the season as he accepted the European Golden Shoe award on Friday for being the top scorer in the continent last season.

The Barcelona striker had played every minute of their season in the Liga and Champions League until left out of the starting line-up against Juventus on Wednesday, four days before Sunday's top-of-the-table showdown at Valencia.