By Abba Gwale
Barcelona football club confirm that injured Messi will miss their final game of 2020 against Eibar.
Barcelona have announced that Lionel Messi is carrying an injury and is not available for their final match of 2020.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is however expected to feature in the club’s opening game of 2021, against Huesca on January 3.
The club announced via its social media channels on Sunday that the Argentine will not play in the clash with Eibar after he missed training.
Barcelona initially announced that he was being given extra days off prior to the Liga clash on December 29. However, they have now moved to further clarify the situation and revealed his break has been granted in order to overcome a physical ailment.
In a statement published on the club’s official website, Barcelona said: “First-team player Lionel Messi is completing the treatment for his right ankle, and is expected to return to training after the SD Eibar match.”
This means he should be fit to face Huesca on January 3.
The Barcelona squad had been given four days off after overcoming Real Valladolid 3-0 away from home on December 22. Clement Lenglet and Martin Braithwaite had been on target in that encounter before Messi rounded the scoring off by netting midway through the second half.
It was just Barcelona’s seventh league victory of the season after 14 matches, and propelled them to fifth in the standings, a distant eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid who also have a game in hand over them.