Barcelona have revealed that Lionel Messi is nursing a thigh complaint, but have sought to calm any fears that the Argentine could be sidelined for a prolonged period of time.
Speculation regarding the 32-year-old’s fitness first surfaced when he became a notable absentee from training sessions in Catalunya.
It was suggested at the time that Messi was merely working away from the cameras in individual gym sessions.
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Barca are, however, now prepared to acknowledge that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is carrying a slight injury.
The Spanish champions are confident, though, that their talismanic captain will soon return to full training with the rest of Quique Setien’s squad and be ready for the resumption of La Liga action.