Messi returns to training with Barcelona
Lionel Messi returned to training with Barcelona before their Champions League clash against Roma.
BARCELONA (AFP) - Lionel Messi returned to training with Barcelona on Thursday to offer the Catalans a boost with less than a week to go before their Champions League clash against Roma.
Messi missed Argentina s two internationals over the last week due to a hamstring strain, although he did train between the 2-0 win over Italy last Friday and Tuesday s 6-1 humiliation by Spain.
"Messi took part in a part of training with the squad," said Barca on their Twitter account.
The 30-year-old five-time world player of the year joined other Barca stars just back from international duty.
With Barca enjoying an 11-point lead over Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, where they are unbeaten all season, Messi may be rested for Saturday s trip to Sevilla to give him more time to recover ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Roma on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde had said he was feeling "calm" with regards Messi s potentially availability.
"He has a slight problem but we hope that it s not serious," he said.
