Lionel Messi injury update: Latest on Barcelona star as squad return to training
Posted Thursday, March 28, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk
Lionel Messi is set to return to action for Barcelona this weekend (Pic: GETTY)
LIONEL MESSI is back at Barcelona after international duty - and looks fit to play this weekend against Espanyol.
Lionel Messi was called up by Argentina for the first time since the World Cup last year after being given an extended rest by his country.
But things didn't go to play for the Barcelona star, who complained of an injury in the 3-1 friendly loss to Venezuela in Madrid last Friday.
He subsequently sat out the 1-0 win over Morocco yesterday as a precaution following the pubic bone injury.
It appears Messi has suffered no long-term ill-effects though, after joining up with his Barcelona team-mates for training today.
They are set for a crunch run of games as they fight for a treble - and having Messi on board will be key.
Barcelona host Catalan neighbours Espanyol on Saturday in a derby match at the Nou Camp (3.15pm) which the Argentine ace is now expected to play in.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen, Nelson Semedo, Ivan Rakitic, Jean-Clair Todibo, Carlos Alena, Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen also trained alongside Messi ahead of the weekend game.
Barca have a 10-point cushion at the top of the La Liga table, but will be keen to get the title wrapped up as soon as possible with the Champions League and Copa del Rey final also in the diary.
After the Espanyol clash, Barcelona travel to Villarreal on Tuesday and then host Atletico Madrid the following weekend.
They then head to England for their Champions League quarter-final first leg tie against Manchester United.
A trip to Huesca in La Liga is sandwiched between the two matches against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men.
Argentina's Angel Correa scored seven minutes from time to snatch a 1-0 win away to Morocco last night.
Correa came off the bench to score after being set up by Matias Suarez to add some gloss to an unconvincing week for the Argentines, who had talisman Lionel back in the team on Friday in Madrid but lost 3-1 to Venezuela.
Paulo Dybala led the attack on Tuesday in place of the absent Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria but there were few clear chances in a clash that was tempestuous in the first half with the referee having to hand out four cautions.
“Too much dependence on Messi? We have to work for that not to happen, for every player not to be always drawn to Leo, he will help us win matches, that's for sure," Argentina caretaker manager Lionel Scaloni said.
When asked about Messi being available for the Copa America this summer, Scaloni added: “It is evident he will be.
"He showed maximum will here and we see he is very driven."
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