OFFICIAL: Messi and Umtiti make full Barcelona return

FC Barcelona and its fans will be delighted that the frustrating international break is finally over for their players although with the sour news that Sergi Roberto and Jasper Cillessen couldn’t survive the virus as both players returned to Barça with injuries.

However, the sweet news is that talisman Lionel Messi has now returned to full training ahead of Barça clash against Deportivo La Coruña at the Camp Nou on Saturday and the Argentina captain is set to feature in his first game since the club’s 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid in La Liga.

Messi picked up an injury to his pubis after a soft clash with Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godín during the game against Diego Simeone’s men and it was reported afterwards that he will be out for three weeks. Messi missed out on Barça’s last three games of which they won two against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Sporting Gijón whilst losing once 4-3 against Celta Vigo in their most recent game. He trained normally with the rest of the team and is available for selection for the game against Deportivo.

Joining Lionel Messi in the returnee list is defender Samuel Umtiti. The Frenchman picked up an injury before the game against Atléti and has been out since then, he began light training last week but is now fully back and fit to feature as he trained at the same pace with his other teammates.

Iván Rakitic also returned to full training after picking up a minor Achilles injury whilst Neymar is still Ok despite bleeding in Brazil’s 5-0 win in the World Cup Qualifiers. The team also welcome back the returns of Gerard Piqué, Andrés Iniesta, Sérgio Busquets, Lucas Digne, André Gomes and Denis Suarez to the team after the international break.