Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has returned to full training following a knee injury, ahead of the trip to rivals Real Madrid this weekend.
Messi has not featured for Barcelona since suffering a knee ligament injury during a 2-1 victory over Las Palmas at the end of September.
But the Argentina international could play some part in the first Clasico of the season at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
A statement on the Barcelona website read: “(Monday’s training) session included the presence of ‘Leo’ Messi, who is in the process of recovering from a left knee injury suffered on September 26.”
Barca have performed well in the absence of the four-time Ballon d’Or winner, with four straight league victories propelling Luis Enrique’s side to the top of La Liga, three points ahead of Madrid.
Neymar and Luis Suarez have scored 10 goals apiece since Messi was sidelined, and the duo could again lead the line at the weekend with Spanish media suggesting that Barca may not rush the 28-year-old back into the starting line-up as a precaution.
Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic also returned to training after injuring his calf in a 3-0 Champions League group stage victory over BATE Borisov at the start of the month.
Source Skysports
