Messi in squad for Barca-Betis clash
Source: Agencies |
December 9, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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LIONEL Messi should be available for today's La Liga match at Real Betis after recovering from a blow to the knee sustained in last Wednesday's Champions League game against Benfica, Barcelona said yesterday.
The Argentine World Player of the Year initially appeared to have suffered a more serious injury after colliding with Benfica goalkeeper Artur late in the 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp but tests ruled out anything worse than bruising.
"The Barca No. 10 trained with the rest of his teammates on Saturday and (coach) Tito Vilanova has decided to take him to Seville," the club said in a statement on its website (www.fcbarcelona.es).
"The Argentine footballer has recovered from the bruising to the bone on the outside of his left knee which meant he had to be taken off the pitch on Wednesday on a stretcher," it added.
Vilanova suggested Messi would be included in the starting 11, as his unbeaten side seeks a 14th win in 15 matches this season. It tops the table with a La Liga-record 40 points, six ahead of Atletico Madrid and 11 ahead of arch-rival Real Madrid in third.
"If there was any risk of injury Messi would not be travelling," Vilanova told a news conference at Barca's training ground.
Messi has the 40-year-old record for the most goals scored in a calendar year firmly in his sights.
The 25-year-old, favorite to secure a fourth straight World Player award when the winner is announced next month, has 84 for club and country in 2012, one short of Gerd Mueller's tally of 85 set for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.
The Argentine World Player of the Year initially appeared to have suffered a more serious injury after colliding with Benfica goalkeeper Artur late in the 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp but tests ruled out anything worse than bruising.
"The Barca No. 10 trained with the rest of his teammates on Saturday and (coach) Tito Vilanova has decided to take him to Seville," the club said in a statement on its website (www.fcbarcelona.es).
"The Argentine footballer has recovered from the bruising to the bone on the outside of his left knee which meant he had to be taken off the pitch on Wednesday on a stretcher," it added.
Vilanova suggested Messi would be included in the starting 11, as his unbeaten side seeks a 14th win in 15 matches this season. It tops the table with a La Liga-record 40 points, six ahead of Atletico Madrid and 11 ahead of arch-rival Real Madrid in third.
"If there was any risk of injury Messi would not be travelling," Vilanova told a news conference at Barca's training ground.
Messi has the 40-year-old record for the most goals scored in a calendar year firmly in his sights.
The 25-year-old, favorite to secure a fourth straight World Player award when the winner is announced next month, has 84 for club and country in 2012, one short of Gerd Mueller's tally of 85 set for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.
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