Coutinho finally got his dream move to Barcelona from Liverpool in January for a fee of £142million.
The Brazilian took time to bleed into the first team at the Nou Camp and he has only showed flashes of his brilliance thus far.
It was thought the midfielder was taken to Catalonia to be the long-term replacement for legend Andres Iniesta, who is expected to leave for China in the summer.
But according to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Messi does not think that Coutinho has enough quality to replicate the departing Spaniard.
Messi scored his 40th career hat-trick as he helped Ernesto Valverde’s side beat Leganes 3-1 at the weekend.
Coutinho registered an assist in the first half but his form dipped in the second period and he was substituted, despite being ineligible for the midweek Champions League trip to Roma.
Don Balon add that Messi tabled his concerns with Suarez, who is a good friend of his former Liverpool team-mate.
The Uruguayan was able to calm the Barca star’s fears and reassured him that the midfielder would come good next season, it is said.
Valverde has previously claimed that is will take time for Coutinho to reach his full potential in La Liga.
“Players aren’t machines that you can just put in a factory and start to work right away,” Valverde said.
“He has important skills, he’s growing into the team little by little.”
