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Lionel Messi should be be fit for Barcelona's game at Celta Vigo - Gerard Pique

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) celebrates with teammate Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique after scoring during the Spanish league footbal
Image: Gerard Pique confident Lionel Messi will feature against Celta Vigo.

Lionel Messi should be be fit to play for Barcelona against Celta Vigo on Sunday despite an apparent foot problem, team-mate Gerard Pique has confirmed.

Messi, the top scorer in La Liga, did not feature in either of Argentina's friendlies during the international break after sustaining a blow to his right foot in last month's El Clasico victory over Real Madrid.

"I am optimistic about Messi, I have spoken to him," Pique said. "I think that he can play at Balaidos (Celta's stadium).

"In the end it is up to how he feels during the rest of the week. The medical staff are those who should decide. My feeling is that he will play."

Barca's 2-1 defeat of Real opened up a four-point lead over their arch-rivals with just 10 games of the Spanish top-flight season remaining.

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Second-placed Real, who entertain Granada on Sunday, have stuttered in recent weeks and defeat at the Nou Camp was their third loss from their last four games in all competitions.

By contrast, Barca are on a seven-match winning run and still have a chance of repeating their unprecedented Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble of the 2008/9 season, having failed to secure major silverware last term for the first time in six years.

I am optimistic about Messi, I have spoken to him. In the end it is up to how he feels during the rest of the week. The medical staff are those who should decide. My feeling is that he will play.
Gerard Pique

They play Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of Europe's elite-club competition and are through to May's King's Cup final against Athletic Bilbao.

"We know it is going to be very hard and we will have to be at a high level if we want to win the titles," Pique added.

"We have the team and we have demonstrated an improvement over the past year. The level has been rising and has given us a lot of confidence."

Watch Celta Vigo v Barcelona live on Sunday. Coverage starts at 8pm, Sky Sports 5 HD.

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