After training on Saturday with the rest of the squad, Leo Messi will be in the team headed for Seville on Sunday to take on Betis in the league (21.00, Canal+)
Messi has been named in Tito Vilanova’s squad that goes to Betis on Sunday after training normally on Saturday morning. The Argentinian has recovered from the knee injury that saw him stretchered off the pitch on Wednesday after clashing with Benfica keeper Artur. Messi has worked hard over the last few days to regain full fitness from an injury that turned out to be far less serious than originally feared.
Messi himself admitted the day after the match that he had expected something much worse. “When I first felt the knock, the pain made me imagine I’d be out for many months. After the tests and finding out that it is not a serious injury, I’m feeling a lot calmer” he said.
Full training session
The striker trained normally this morning in a session involving all available members of the first team, plus Tello of Barça B. Apart from the news concerning Messi, there were further smiles at the Ciutat Esportiva with the medical clearance of all of Marc Bartra, Alexis Sánchez and Dani Alves. Abidal worked out in isolation. The team will fly to Seville on Sunday morning for a game against Betis that kicks off at 21.00.