Pottertons
16 May 2006, 11:29 AM
Barcelona's Lionel Messi successfully came through a training session on Tuesday and has been declared fit for the UEFA Champions League final, according to Sky Sports News.
The little Argentine has not played since sustaining a thigh injury in the second leg of Barca's win over Chelsea in the tournament at the start of March.
It was initially thought he would only be out for four to six weeks, but complications delayed his return.
The 18-year-old subsequently returned to his native Argentina in a bid to focus on his recuperation and did not feature as Barca wrapped up the Spanish league title.
It was thought unlikely he would play again for the Catalans this term with the World Cup a more likely target.
However, he appears to have timed his return to perfection and could now feature in Wednesday's showpiece with Arsenal.
Barca boss Frank Rijkaard is highly unlikely to risk the prodigiously-talented youngster from the start at the Stade de France, but it will be a major boost for the Spanish champions to have Messi at their disposal.
Well, that's curtains then is'nt it?
Naah, I'm still rooting for an Arsenal victory, but wow. Messi's the type of player who can build up motivation within the team just by being present on the bench.
The little Argentine has not played since sustaining a thigh injury in the second leg of Barca's win over Chelsea in the tournament at the start of March.
It was initially thought he would only be out for four to six weeks, but complications delayed his return.
The 18-year-old subsequently returned to his native Argentina in a bid to focus on his recuperation and did not feature as Barca wrapped up the Spanish league title.
It was thought unlikely he would play again for the Catalans this term with the World Cup a more likely target.
However, he appears to have timed his return to perfection and could now feature in Wednesday's showpiece with Arsenal.
Barca boss Frank Rijkaard is highly unlikely to risk the prodigiously-talented youngster from the start at the Stade de France, but it will be a major boost for the Spanish champions to have Messi at their disposal.
Well, that's curtains then is'nt it?
Naah, I'm still rooting for an Arsenal victory, but wow. Messi's the type of player who can build up motivation within the team just by being present on the bench.