Messi misses out on Spanish Super Cup semi as Barcelona sweat over Argentine’s fitness

Lionel Messi will play no part in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final due to injury, as Barcelona sweat over the Argentine’s fitness.

By Tom Canton Published: January 13, 2021 8:26 pm
Last Updated: January 14, 2021 3:35 pm
Messi misses out on Spanish Super Cup semi as Barcelona sweat over Argentine’s fitness

Messi struggling

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi has not been selected for tonight’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final. The Argentinian was substituted in the second-half against Granada at the weekend, after feeling a slight hamstring problem. However, it was thought that he would be fit to play in the Super Cup tie against Real Sociedad.

Ahead of the clash, Ronald Koeman confirmed that the 33-year old was dealing with ‘discomfort’, however assured that he would be ‘available.’

“There are several players with discomfort, one of them is Messi, that is why we withdrew him in Granada,” the Barcelona boss said the day before the game.

“It seems that everyone is available for tomorrow, also Araujo, although a preparatory session is missing. It is a match against a strong team and we can take the next step.”

Many, though, suggested that it would be silly to risk the Argentine, with La Liga TV’s Andy West forthright in putting such a point across on social media:

“Messi absolutely should not play in the Super Cup if he has any physical issues at all, and I’m also concerned about Pedri. He’s undertaken an enormous amount of work for a teenager who is still growing into his body. Recipe for an injury. Rest him please,” he said.

Messi does not play

In turn, upon the announcement of Barca’s line-up to face Sociedad this evening, it was revealed that Messi would not feature. In fact, he has not even been named as a substitute.

Evidently, either Koeman is keen to avoid taking a risk on his star man, or the Argentine’s problem is worse than initially thought.

Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite make up the Blaugrana front-three, with Pedri playing behind.

Fortunately for Barcelona, there is plenty of time following tonight’s clash for Messi to recover. Barca will take on Cornella, who knocked Atletico Madrid out of the Copa Del Rey, on Thursday the 21st of January, before returning to La Liga against Elche 3 days later.

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This article was edited by Conor Laird.