Joao Miranda has admitted that he’d prefer not to see Lionel Messi lining up for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid this Wednesday.
The capital side travel out to the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening for the second leg of the Supercopa de Espana, with the tie set at 1-1 from last week’s first leg in Madrid.
Messi picked up an injury in that first leg which has his exact availability for this week’s return match still undetermined, although he has now returned to training.
For one player who may be facing Barca this week, it would be better not to see the No 10 make it.
“Even if Messi does not play, they can play Xavi, Iniesta and Neymar, but it is better if he does not play,” conceded Miranda to reporters today.
“Who would I prefer to face out of Messi and Neymar? They are both players of incredible quality, Neymar is an idol in Brazil and Messi the same in Argentina.
“But it does not matter, Barcelona are full of great players.”
