Lionel Messi has had a rough summer. Knocked out of the 2019 Copa América by archrival Brazil in the semifinals, he only made it worse by getting a three-month ban for claiming CONMEBOL is corrupt and later being given his second career red card in the third-place match, which earned him a suspension for Argentina’s next World Cup qualifier.
But hey, the little magician returned to the friendly confines of Barcelona training camp this week, so all was well!
Look who's back! pic.twitter.com/XuiDzrCVay
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2019
Two hours later and… now he’s hurt.
BREAKING NEWS
Leo Messi, injured
More details: https://t.co/CHu4TumanN pic.twitter.com/6FHlDiWDQN— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2019
The first day Messi came back from his summer break, Messi pulled out of practice with a Grade 1 calf strain.
This injury meant Messi conveniently would miss Barcelona’s U.S. tour (two friendlies against Napoli in Florida and Michigan) — almost too convenient.
But to totally assure fans Messi was hurt — because who wants to get sued like Cristiano Ronaldo? — Barcelona put out this video of the Argentine slowly doing rehab on Thursday, or maybe he’s just doing a really lazy work out.
Good job, Leo! pic.twitter.com/sBjj8hMDYX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 8, 2019
Side note: How awkward must it be to do rehab with half a dozen cameras in your face?
Hopefully Messi isn’t faking it but also isn’t hurt too bad, because the LaLiga season starts on Aug. 16, a little over a week away.
Really though, it was Messi’s loss for not traveling to the U.S. He could’ve met some World Cup champions who didn’t have to squash his dreams in the process of winning it all.
World champs meet up at Hard Rock Stadium
Barça’s French World Cup winners pose with members of the @ORLPride who won the women’s World Cup this summer with the @USWNT pic.twitter.com/Cpr1UaLn2V— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 8, 2019
Kidding aside, Messi did seem genuine about missing the trip to the U.S.
“I wanted to start and unfortunately I had a mishap in the first training that will leave me out for a while. I thank all your messages and samples of love, I wanted to be with the team and with the people who follow us in the USA. This time it may not be, but we will see each other again soon. A hug to all.”
Also, with Messi not traveling to the U.S., Barcelona will reportedly receive a smaller payday for its friendlies against Napoli.
Of course, none of this would be of any interest to anyone except that it is Lionel Messi, the greatest player to ever play the game unless you are a Cristiano Ronaldo fan or stuck in the past and think Pelé or Diego Maradona could have kept up with modern footballers. Also, the transfer window has been too silly to write about, so some of us have resorted to writing fiction and horoscopes.
Lionel Messi Injury Update August 2019
- Injury: Grade 1 calf strain
- Expected Recovery Time: 7-10 days
- Likely Return: Aug. 16 (season opener against Athletic Bilbao)
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