Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu claims that Lionel Messi was not asked to miss international duty for Argentina.
A groin issue that may have been aggravated in last week’s win over Uruguay could see the superstar miss the Blaugrana’s match with Alaves.
While the 29-year-old missed the second game of the international break against Venezuela to return to the Nou Camp, Bartomeu says the situation has been handled correctly by all involved.
“No one has taken unnecessary risks,” Bartomeu told RAC1.
“These are things which happen, especially with a footballer who plays as much as Leo.
“We didn’t recommend to the AFA [Argentine Football Association] that they shouldn’t play him in the match against Uruguay, we just told them he had discomfort in his groin and attached the medical report.”
After an MRI scan was done on the injury any serious problems were ruled out for Messi, however, according to Catalan Daily Sport a decision will not be made on his availability for the upcoming match against Alaves until later in the week.
The ‘Little Master’ took to Facebook in order to put the minds of Barca fans at ease, posting yesterday that the injury is “nothing to worry about.”
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