Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is eyeing a domestic double to finish the season on a high, after the disappointment of a Champions League exit earlier this month.
The Catalan giants' hopes of a treble were dashed, when they squandered a three-goal lead against Liverpool, who turned in a fantastic performance at Anfield to triumph 4-3 on aggregate in their semi-final.
Messi admitted Barcelona's horror show on Merseyside was still hanging over them, as evidenced by a 2-2 draw at Eibar on the final day of the season in Spain's La Liga.
Yet, having retained their league crown, Messi knows Barca must shake off any lingering European hangover, when they take on Valencia in the Copa del Rey final at Real Betis' Estadio Benito Villamarin.
"We are still getting over the setback at Liverpool," said Messi. "It was a big blow.
"It was difficult to pick ourselves up, as you could see in the following game.
"It has been a spectacular year, in which we have won the league and we are in the final of the Copa del Rey. We have had a great season, with the exception of the game at Liverpool.
"That game has spoilt a little the year we have had. I want to win the final and end the season with another trophy.
"We are all aware that it is a final and it's another trophy to win. We have to end the season well, celebrating another title if we can."
Messi bagged a brace against Eibar last weekend, taking his tally to 50 goals for the season in all competitions.
The 31-year-old remains the heartbeat of Barcelona and insists he has no plans to leave the club he first joined as a 13-year-old in 2001.
While Ernesto Valverde has been successful at domestic level, Barca's struggles in Europe have brought the head coach's future into focus.
"I would like Valverde to continue," Messi said. "Last season, we did the double and this season we can do it again."
Barca, who are looking to win the Copa del Rey for a fifth successive year, will be without Luis Suarez, after the Uruguayan had surgery on his knee, while goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is also sidelined.
Philippe Coutinho played a full part in Thursday's training, although fellow midfielder Arthur and forward Ousmane Dembele are doubtful.
AAP
