With Lionel Messi winning just one out of the five past editions of the UEFA Champions League, FC Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho has admiited he cannot explain his teammate's recent struggles in Europe.

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The Argentine last lifted the UCL trophy in the 2014/15 season, which was his fourth time winning the competition.

The Catalans have since battled to get to the final of the tournament, and have seen rivals Real Madrid become dominant in Europe.

Coutinho has now admitted that he is baffled that Messi has won just one UCL title in the past five years.

"It's difficult (to explain)," he said, according to Sport.  

"He is the best player in the world, (the best) in the history of the game. It's difficult to explain it.

"Messi, like all of us, is really motivated to win big things (this season), and the Champions League is one of them."

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Barca strengthened in the transfer window to give themselves a better chance of competing in Europe again, having signed the likes of Clement Lenglet, Malcom, Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal.

Why do you think Messi has struggled in Europe in recent seasons? Let us know in the comments section below.