Iniesta: No crisis of confidence at Barcelona

As Lionel Messi returned to the training pitch in Argentina, the midfielder insists there is no reason to panic despite consecutive defeats to Ajax and Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta insists his side's strong confidence has not been broken despite suffering two successive defeats.

Gerardo Martino's men lost to Ajax in the Champions League last midweek before suffering a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday.

Iniesta acknowledges the Camp Nou side need to improve their performances but is eager to point out they have not suffered a dent in belief after recent results.

"This is a race and we know we have to stand up and try to be better," Iniesta said at the LFP Awards Gala.

"But there is not even an iota of confidence less than we had two weeks ago. I am a person who does not like extremes, in either a good or a bad way. I like to see things with perspective and balance.

"There is always concern when you lose but we are trying to make things right. Nobody likes to lose, get things wrong or perform less well, but we must have the confidence that what we are doing has improved and what lies ahead will be positive.

"Sometimes things do not turn out the way you want them to, not due to the lack of anything, simply because of circumstances that do not allow things to go your way.

"In a team game responsibilities fall on all of us to use our solidarity and character to improve."

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has made his return to the training pitch at one of the Argentina national team's bases in Buenos Aires.

The attacker has kicked off the second phase of his rehabilitation after his hamstring injury and will remain under close supervision from club and international physios over the coming weeks.