FC Barcelona Ronald Koeman has explained why he decided to bench superstar Lionel Messi against Real Betis on Saturday evening.

Click through the gallery to see action from Messi's impressive cameo against Betis.

The Argentine was surprisingly named on the bench for the Catalan giants, who had failed to win their previous four LaLiga games heading into the clash.

With the game tied at 1-1, Messi entered the field of play at the start of the second half and went on to bag two goals as Barcelona ran out 5-2 winners.

Koeman has since revealed that six-time Ballon d'Or winner was not fully fit to start to the encounter.

"We talked to Leo, who came out of the Dynamo [Kyiv] game with a niggle and he was not fit to play from the start," He told reporters after the game, as per Goal.

"He was on the bench in case we needed him. If he was physically OK, he would have played from the start."

Read: Super Sub Messi Bags Two Goals In Barca's Big Win

Messi has now taken his tally to six goals in 10 games across all competitions, while adding four assists as well.

Antoine Griezmann also managed to end his goal-drought along with countryman Ousmane Dembele.

Click through the gallery below to see where Messi ranks among the best-paid players in LaLiga!