Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Lionel Messi injury boost for Barcelona after Argentina absence

Barcelona star Lionel Messi looks set to face Celta Vigo on Sunday as he closes in on fully recovering from a recent foot injury.

Messi surprisingly sat out both Argentina's friendlies in the U.S. during the recent international break, with national coach Gerardo Martino saying that the attacker had not been fit enough to play in either the 2-0 friendly win over El Salvador in Washington D.C. or the 2-1 victory over Ecuador on Tuesday in New Jersey.

This led to concern at the Camp Nou, especially as Martino explained the decision by saying that Messi had a right foot injury which meant that even lacing up his boots caused serious pain.

Subsequent media reports claimed that the Blaugrana No. 10 had played with the injury during the 2-1 Clasico win over Real Madrid before the international break, and there were fears that the problem had since worsened.

However, on his return to Catalonia, Barca said that swelling in the foot had gone down, and Messi himself wrote on Facebook that despite there still being some pain he was hoping to be soon back in action.

"Back in Barcelona," Messi said. "The Tour in US was sweet and sour for me. We got 2 wins with a great job from everyone, but I couldn't play because of my swollen foot. It still hurts a bit, but I hope to recover soon so I can help the National team and FC Barcelona."

Barca's club statement regarding training on Friday also suggested the injury was no longer a serious issue.

"FC Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique finally had all his troops back in training for the first time since before the recent international exodus," the statement said.

"With the reincorporation of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez and Andres Iniesta, the Barca skipper now has all hands on deck.

"Leo Messi and Javier Mascherano, who jogged and stretched alone during Thursday's session, also worked out with the group on Friday morning. Munir El Haddadi was the only Barca B player out on Camp Tito Vilanova at the Ciutat Esportiva. Thomas Vermaelen continued to do part of his workout with the group. Jordi Alba is still recovering from injury."

Alba's adductor muscle problem means Adriano is likely to start at left-back against Celta, while Busquets' return to full fitness should see him take the place of the suspended Javier Mascherano on Sunday evening.

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