• Mercado.Vodevil against the clock by Neymar

There was nothing more to appreciate the gesture of Ernesto Valverde last Saturday. The Barcelona coach made a face when he was questioned about the physical condition of Leo Messi, who was already waiting for the meeting last Sunday against Betis. But Valverde, in a voice from beyond the grave, was clear: «We cannot step back. If it is not one hundred percent, we should not risk ». The coach already knew that the striker had returned to reproduce the discomfort in the soleus, torn in his first pre-season training, on August 5. The medical body made sure that the injury had not gone beyond, but recommended that he step on the brake and delay his return. Nor will it take place this Saturday in El Sadar against Osasuna.

This Wednesday, Messi was still there. He could not train with the group since the inconvenience continues there. In Barcelona they are reluctant to be alarmed , and they bless the almost two-week break for the matches of selections that should allow the heal of their right leg to heal. A muscle that doctors always described as treacherous since it usually offers a false sense of healing before increasing workloads. It remains to be seen if the remaining 17 days until the dispute of the match against Valencia (September 14) at the Camp Nou will be sufficient.

The contest of Luis Suarez for this meeting is also an unknown (the doctors established a period of one month's loss for the Uruguayan, injured on August 17), while Ousmane Dembélé, broken in San Mamés although diagnosed four days later, It is not expected until the end of September. As long as the French end still remains in the club.

Griezmann, leader in the celebrated triumph against Athletic, will continue as an offensive reference alongside youth players such as Carles Pérez or the youngster Ansu Fati , waiting for the outcome of the 'Neymar operation'.

The last time Leo Messi played a football match was last July 6 . That day, the forward was expelled against Chile in the match for third place in the Copa América. Even more distant is his last participation with Barcelona, ​​in the final of the Copa del Rey against Valencia in Benito Villamarín played on May 25. Three months ago.

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  • Valencia
  • Leo Messi
  • Luis Suarez
  • Ousmane Dembélé
  • Neymar
  • Ernesto Valverde
  • America Cup
  • Chile
  • Ansu Fati
  • sports

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