Lionel Messi 'perfectly' fine for Barcelona's LaLiga return despite injury, says Quique Setien

Ready for action: Lionel Messi
AFP via Getty Images
Ben Hayward8 June 2020

Barcelona coach Quique Setien says Lionel Messi is in good shape and will be available for his side's LaLiga restart at Mallorca next Saturday.

Messi missed training for Barca on Wednesday and then again on Friday as the Catalan club revealed he was suffering from a minor injury.

The Argentine attacker trained alone at Camp Nou on Saturday, but took no part in a practice match between two Barca XIs as the LaLiga leaders continued their preparations to kick off the competition again after a lengthy break due to coronavirus.

"He is not the only player who hasn't trained," Setien told El Partidazo de Vamos. "As a precaution, as has happened with many.

"It's a muscle contracture of no great importance and we have controlled it in another way.

"He is perfectly [fine] and he won't have any problem playing."

Barca have a hectic start to LaLiga, with three games in the first week as all 11 rounds are due to take place in the space of just 39 days.

Asked if Messi could play it all, Setien said: "Like any other footballer. We'll have to look at the needs we have, the circumstances and [take into account] that we don't have a big squad.

"But I prefer Messi to always be on the pitch. We'll see how it works out."

One piece of good news for Setien is the return of Luis Suarez, who received the green light on Saturday and is ready to feature for the first time since undergoing knee surgery in January.

"He's much better than we expected," Setien said. "After an operation, there is always some uncertainty. We will see this week whether he is ready to start or [to come on] during the game."

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