FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.02.2007 15:00

Messi returns after three months

Lionel Messi returns to the FC Barcelona squad for the game against Racing Santander in Camp Nou on Sunday, along with Ronaldinho. Eidur Gudjohnsen and Santiago Ezquerro are the two players to be rested.

After recovering from a broken toe, Messi could make his long-awaited comeback after Frank Rijkaard included the Argentina international in the squad to face Racing. It almost three months since he last appeared in a Blaugrana shirt as he picked up the injury on November 12 in the league encounter with Real Zaragoza.

A long recovery process

An operation was performed to repair the damage to the fifth metatarsal and that was followed by an intense recuperation plan. The first phase of the programme was carried out in Barcelona and Messi then returned to Argentina to continue the process. On Friday, February 2, he returned to the Catalan capital and, after undergoing some medical tests, was given the green light to resume training. Following a successful week back, Messi is now on the verge of making his return to playing.

Ronaldinho cleared to play

The other change from recent games is Ronaldinho, who has been declared fit by the club's medical services on Friday. The Brazilian superstar missed the game against Osasuna last weekend and was also unable to participate in Brazil's international friendly against Portugal in London on Tuesday after he received a blow to both his knee and ankle during the Copa Del Rey game with Real Zaragoza. After recovering, he began training again on Thursday and Rijkaard has brought the number ten straight back into the squad.

Gudjohnsen and Ezquerro left out

Two members of the first-team are still injured as Lilian Thuram and Sylvinho continue their recuperation, while two other players have been rested for this encounter. Rijkaard has opted to leave Gudjohnsen and Ezquerro out of the squad for the Racing match.