Lionel Messi makes tentative return to training after suffering calf strain as Barcelona star faces race against time to recover for La Liga opener
- Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has started his recovery from a calf strain injury
- Argentine star faces race to be fit for Barca’s season opener on August 16
- The calf problem has forced Messi to miss the club’s tour of the United States
- He was filmed tentatively trying out the calf in various gym exercises
Lionel Messi has started his recovery from a calf injury as the Barcelona star pushes to be fit for the start of the La Liga season on August 16.
Barcelona posted an Instagram video clip of the Argentine tentatively testing out his calf on various exercise machines after Messi said he hopes to be ‘back soon’ from the injury.
Messi returned to training on Monday following his participation in the Copa America over the summer but then suffered a ‘Grade One calf strain’ in his right leg.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has returned to training after suffering a calf strain
Messi was filmed undergoing various exercise routines as he recovers from his calf injury
The injury has ruled Messi out of Barca’s trip to the United States that sees them play two fixtures against Napoli in Miami and Michigan.
His absence was financially costly for Barcelona as, according to Mundo Deportivo, there was an obligation for Messi to play at least some part in the two games, which were set to earn the club around £4.5million.
Instead, Messi remained behind to continue his rehabilitation and was filmed exercising on a leg press, resistance harness and with a medicine ball.
Messi suffered the injury after making a return to Barcelona following the Copa America
Training alone in Barcelona, Messi was shown testing out his calf through various exercises
Messi is absent from Barcelona’s ongoing tour of the United States, where they play Napoli
There remains a chance that Messi could miss reigning champions Barcelona’s season opener away to Athletic Bilbao on August 16.
He could return for their second league fixture, at home to Real Betis, on August 25.
Barca won the first of their two matches against Napoli 2-1 on Wednesday night, with Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic on target.
They play again on Saturday evening.
