A report from Barcelona says Lionel Messi’s recovery from his knee injury is going well and the Clasico remains his targeted return, although he might not make it.
Sport note that with 25 days until Barca play Real Madrid, Messi is feeling good. Barca are keen not to push the forward too hard and risk a long-term problem, but as it stands he could be back in time to face Real Madrid.
It’s pointed out that Messi’s time on the sidelines was set at between seven and eight weeks and the game against Los Blancos would be eight weeks from when he was injured against Las Palmas.
Making the Madrid game is described as Messi’s ‘primary objective’ and Messi is due to start running by the beginning of next week at the latest.
That is considered the second phase of his recovery and the most important as it is a prelude to resuming training.
But if Messi isn’t fit to play Madrid it won’t be considered a ‘debacle,’ the report adds, as the forward’s long-term condition will be valued over the short-term boost of having him against Madrid.
Messi has said in an interview that he will let the medical staff decide when he is ready to return, and Sport conclude by suggesting the medical staff believe he can be fit for the November 21 encounter.
There is, however, a contradictory report from El Confidencial that while confirming Messi’s recovery is on course, claims that course won’t be complete until after the Clasico.
El Confidencial say that if you ask anyone at Barcelona off-the-record if Messi will play against Madrid, they’ll say no.
