As La Liga Prepares To Return After COVID-19 Break, Lionel Messi Could Miss Barcelona’s Match Next Week

Lionel Messi reportedly missed training Wednesday (June 3) due to an adductor injury and he could miss FC Barcelona’s match against Real Mallorca on June 13.

All the soccer leagues around the world were suspended in March amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Germany’s Bundesliga was the first league to resume and now Spain’s La Liga is preparing to restart as the first match, after the two-month break, has been scheduled to take place on June 11 where Sevilla will lock horns against Real Betis.

According to a report by a local television channel TV3, Messi worked alone in the gym rather than joining the team for training, which took place at the club’s Sant Joan Despi base Wednesday. He had an MRI scan to determine the severity of the problem, which has not been disclosed yet.

Meanwhile, Spanish media outlet AS reported that Messi has a muscle issue but Barcelona are being optimistic about his recovery before the Mallorca game, which is still nine days away. The Catalans have a rest day on Thursday (June 4) and will return to training the following day when an update on Messi’s could be expected.

Barcelona’s Mallorca game is an away fixture and three days later, the Blaugrana return to Nou Camp to take on 19th placed Leganes.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, the matches will be played behind closed doors as per strict instructions from the health authorities, who cannot afford to witness a relapse in the various Spanish cities. While the players have accepted the hard truth that they will have to finish the remainder of the season in empty stadiums, Messi earlier had expressed that playing without the presence of fans in the stadiums could have an adverse effect on a player’s performance.

Before the La Liga season was halted in March, all the clubs had played 27 matches each. With 18 wins and 58 points, Barca are currently on the top of the table, two points clear of the second-placed Real Madrid and 11 points ahead of third-placed Sevilla.