LUIS SUAREZ has declared his 100 per cent backing for Lionel Messi to keep his job as Barcelona's penalty taker.

The Argentine wizard was odds-on to give Barcelona a 3-1 win when he stepped up to take a penalty in thew last minute of added-on time in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Manchester City.

But fans all over the world were stunned when Joe Hart saved the spot kick and Messi headed the rebound wide from four yards with the goal gaping.

Suarez, however, has no qualms about Messi suffering a penalty kick hangover as they look to bounce back from a La Liga defeat to Malag

The former Liverpool striker, who netted twice at the Etihad to give Barca all three points, said: "Messi is the penalty taker, end of story.

"He will bounce back from this. Yes, it was a disappointment, but Lionel knows how to deal with these situations.

"He is very tough on the inside. This won't play on his mind at all."

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has insisted Messi is still the man for penalty duties, despite him having now fluffed his lines from 12 yards three times this season.

Had Messi scored, City would have needed to score three times in the Nou Camp to stand any chance of going through.

Instead, they will travel to Barcelona with wind in their sails.

But Enrique is confident Messi is still the right man to hold penalty duties.

"Those who miss penalties are those who dare to take them and our penalty taker is undoubtedly Leo Messi.

"We have the utmost confidence in his capacity to take them," he told reporters

Meanwhile, Suarez has spoken about how the booing of him by home fans gave him added motivation.

The 28-year-old was jeered regularly by City supporters who remember well his controversial three-year spell at Anfield.

He said: "There are certain types of players, like me, who get more inspired, more motivated, when fans boo them. It helps motivate you a bit more.

"Obviously it is pleasing to be able to help the team. They were important goals in a Champions League knockout game."