Lionel Messi will hope to play a role in the first leg of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid. The Argentine suffered a thigh injury during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend but has returned to training and is closing in on a return. Ernesto Valverde will hope to have Messi available for the first of three El Clasico matches in 25 days, although the Barca manager will not rush his star man. "It is true that sometimes we have had doubts with players and we have waited until the last moment,” said Valverde.

Source: Express February 06, 2019 08:29 UTC