Barcelona “absolutely calm” over Messi fitness

The Argentine star will be present in el clásico, according to reports

Despite uncertainty in the media over Lionel Messi’s fitness as Barcelona prepare a Copa del Rey clash against Real Madrid, the Catalan club are completely calm on the matter, according to Diario SPORT.

Messi suffered a light injury in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Valencia in La Liga this weekend, although he played the full 90 minutes. Today, the player did not train with the rest of his teammates as a precaution.

The blow he suffered during the match gave him pain and a small muscle spasm that reportedly should not keep him out of the match against Madrid. In any case, we will have to wait until tomorrow’s training to see what the Argentine star is feeling like once he steps out on the pitch. If he is not in pain, he will be in the squad to play el clásico.

From then on, it is up to Ernesto Valverde to decide whether to use him from the start. The coach has opted for using Messi sparingly in the Copa del Rey this season, particularly in first leg encounters.