Messi has been in pain since December - Barca Manager Valverde

Barcelona Manager Ernesto Valverde (second left) and Forward Lionel Messi (second right) - Getty

Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona Manager, says, Lionel Messi has been in pain since Christmas, however, is hopeful the forward can return to La Liga action this weekend.


31-year old Messi suffered a groin injury while on international duty with Argentina last week on what was his first return to the international stage since the 2018 World Cup.

He played the full 90 minutes of La Albiceleste’s 3-1 defeat to Venezuela but was forced to miss the 1-0 win over Morroco on Tuesday and returned to the Camp Nou to start his recovery.

The Argentine has since resumed full training with the Barcelona squad and is in line to feature against Espanyol.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has struggled with fitness issues since the beginning of the year, and this has made the Spanish top flight toppers to implement a careful injury management programme to maximise his time on the pitch, Valverde revealed.

“We were taking care of it before Christmas. We have tried to make the pain subside and we will continue doing it. Now he has had a few days of rest."

The Spanish coach also gave a quick update on Ousmane Dembele’s recovery from a hamstring injury, stating: “He is doing well and we’re confident but I cannot give exact dates. We are within the deadlines set but we will try not to force him.”