Madrid: Barcelona captain Lionel Messi was named in the team’s squad to face Real Madrid in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal first leg after recovering from a light calf problem.
Messi set off alarm bells after sustaining a knock to his calf during Saturday’s 2-2 La Liga draw with Valencia, in which he scored twice, although he was able to finish the game after being treated. Messi missed the training schedules of Sunday and Monday, but attended one session Tuesday after which he was named in the team.
Speaking before naming his team, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde however, said he didn’t want to take any risks with the club’s all-time top scorer.
“The most important thing is whether the player tells you he is ready or not. Regardless of what tests say, if the player doesn’t think he’s ready, you have to leave him out,” Valverde said.
“I’m not in favour of taking risks with so many games coming up, if the season finished tomorrow, it would be another matter. When there is a risk of injury, players play with the handbrake on and Wednesday’s game is not one where you want to do that.”
Agencies