'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After suffering a groin strain during Barcelona’s last weekend league fixture away to Villarreal, Lionel Messi has recovered well from the injury and now has been given the green light to feature in the club’s upcoming tie against Athletic Club Bilbao.
Messi had to sit out of Argentina’s friendly 4-2 win over Germany in what was a repeat of the 2014 World Cup final at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf on Wednesday night.
In an official statement released by the club, it read, “The Argentina national team doctor, Daniel Martínez, and others from the FCB Medical Services have evaluated the groin strain sustained by Leo Messi during last weekend’s league fixture away to Villarreal. Both parties agreed that there have been considerable improvements, and the player will continue doing specific recovery exercises until he is ready to resume normal training with the rest of his team-mates.”
The Argentine forward took part in the team’s training session on Monday, along with Andres Iniesta and Thomas Vermaelen, both recovering from their respective injuries as well.
Barcelona will be relieved to have Messi back in the lineup, especially with the kick off date for their Champions League Campaign getting close. The Catalan-based club will play APOEL at home on Septemeber 17 in their opening match.
