The joke is on Lionel Messi at Barcelona training. Photograph: Andreu Dalmau/EPA
Barcelona received a welcome boost when Lionel Messi was given the all-clear by medical staff and included in the squad for Wednesday's King's Cup game at home to Getafe.
The World Player of the Year has not featured for the Spanish league champions since straining his thigh in November, the latest in a series of muscle injuries that plagued him throughout 2013.
His return will give the team a lift as they prepare for Saturday's La Liga game at their title rivals Atlético Madrid who are level with Barça at the top on 49 points from 18 matches.
Their coach Gerardo Martino has not said whether Messi would feature against Getafe, the team he scored one of the greatest goals of his career against in a King's Cup game in April 2007.
Receiving the ball just inside the Barça half, he dashed through the opposition defence and slotted into the net from a narrow angle, covering 55 metres in 12 seconds.
"If he plays tomorrow hopefully he will score another one just like it," said Martino with a smile.
"He came back [from Argentina] and has been working like any other member of the squad," added Martino who hails from Messi's home town of Rosario.
"Obviously he is lacking a bit of playing time but seeing as we are talking about Leo it is not really an issue. He has told me he is feeling fine and that's why he is in the squad."
The World Player of the Year has not featured for the Spanish league champions since straining his thigh in November, the latest in a series of muscle injuries that plagued him throughout 2013.
His return will give the team a lift as they prepare for Saturday's La Liga game at their title rivals Atlético Madrid who are level with Barça at the top on 49 points from 18 matches.
Their coach Gerardo Martino has not said whether Messi would feature against Getafe, the team he scored one of the greatest goals of his career against in a King's Cup game in April 2007.
Receiving the ball just inside the Barça half, he dashed through the opposition defence and slotted into the net from a narrow angle, covering 55 metres in 12 seconds.
"If he plays tomorrow hopefully he will score another one just like it," said Martino with a smile.
"He came back [from Argentina] and has been working like any other member of the squad," added Martino who hails from Messi's home town of Rosario.
"Obviously he is lacking a bit of playing time but seeing as we are talking about Leo it is not really an issue. He has told me he is feeling fine and that's why he is in the squad."
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