After a summer of turbulence, Barcelona have hit back by winning their first five La Liga games of the new season.
Messi has been particularly magical, scoring recent hat-tricks against local rivals Espanyol and minnows Eibar.
However, the form of Luis Suarez has prompted a debate among supporters whether he should be dropped – with the former Liverpool star finding the net just once so far.
And Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim Lionel Messi had talks with Valverde in order to come up with a solution about the Uruguayan.
In bad news for Suarez, Valverde supposedly wants him dropped.
Barcelona’s attacking juggernaut is surviving without him at their best, meaning he has suddenly become a dispensable option.
It is said Valverde told Messi a rest would benefit his dressing room ally.
And Diario Gol say the 30-year-old accepted that Suarez may need time out of the spotlight to rediscover his best form.
Additionally, Valverde also discussed summer signing Paulinho with Messi.
The signing of the former Tottenham star raised eyebrows, particularly given he had spent the last two years plying his trade in the Chinese Super League.
But Messi has reportedly been left impressed by the performances of the Tottenham flop.
Paulinho recently scored the winner against Getafe late on and followed that up by finding the net against Getafe.