Barcelona star Lionel Messi has returned to training after his ankle injury which he suffered last week.
Barca star steps up recovery after ankle injury
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has returned to training after his ankle injury.
The 23-year-old Argentina international sustained the problem after a heavy tackle by Atletico Madrid's Tomas Ujfalusi in Barca's 2-1 victory last Sunday.
Messi left the field on a stretcher amid fears of a serious injury, but Barca comfirmed on Monday that the problem was not as bad as first thought and he would miss the club's next two games.
And Messi returned to light training on Friday as he looks to build up his fitness.
"Lionel Messi's road to recovery took a step forward on Friday as he strolled onto the training pitch for the first time to work on his individual programme," a statement on the club's official website read.
"He has moved up a gear and moved outside along with a coach, working away from the rest of the first team as he battles to regain full fitness."
Messi missed the 1-0 midweek win over Sporting Gijon and will play no part in Barca's trip to Atletico Bilbao this weekend.
