For Atletico Madrid, Lionel Messi has returned at the worst possible moment. And the Barcelona forward is eager to make up for lost time going into what could prove the most important games of the season.
Messi is back from a two-month injury layoff and is available Saturday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, where Barcelona takes on co-leader Atletico. Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino's biggest dilemma doesn't seem to be tactical, but whether or not to play Messi from the start.
"He hasn't asked me to start. He's told me he feels in perfect playing conditions," Martino said on Friday. "It's not an easy decision to make because we're talking about the world's best player. And Leo is coming off a long period of inactivity."
Messi certainly didn't show any lingering effects from a left hamstring injury when he came off the bench to score twice in Wednesday's 4-0 cup win over Getafe. "What we have to evaluate is if he can play 90 minutes, which we'll decide tomorrow. We're not going to waste all of the work and hours put in by Barca and Argentina's physical trainers, and even by him himself, to get back on the field," Martino said. "When it comes time to decide we'll forget about the opponent and remember that this is not a game being played (at the end of the season) but on Jan. 11. It is a decisive match, but not crucial."
