Valverde confirms Lionel Messi will undergo examination on bruised nose

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has confirmed that Lionel Messi will undergo a medical examination on a bruised nose suffered during the first leg of the Champions League tie against Manchester United on the road. The Argentina international picked up the injury after he was clattered by Chris Smalling during the first period, and his performance was thereafter unimpressive with signs that he had not completely recovered from the blow.

Speaking after the game, Valverde said that Messi was far from comfortable with the proceedings on the field after he took a big blow on his nose through a Chris Smalling challenge. He added that a thorough examination over the same would be made by the club’s doctors to determine the extent of the damage, he told: “It’s clear that he was not more comfortable playing after that. He took a big blow and he will have to be examined by the doctors. We will have to see how Messi is, but he has a big bruise.”

Javier Saviola backs Lionel Messi to lead Argentina to World Cup success

Former Argentina international Javier Saviola believes Lionel Messi has the credentials to guide Argentina to success at the 2022 World Cup. The Barcelona star has failed to win a single international trophy through his career and he recently experienced disappointment at the summer World Cup where the nation were ousted at the round of 16 stage.

Speaking to Goal.com, he said: "Messi, unfortunately, has not yet managed to win any trophy or tournament for the national team and the Argentine fans are very demanding. I was Leo's colleague, I know what he feels about the country and how much it hurts when things don't go as he would like. The most important thing is to trust that everything will go well and I believe that the next World Cup will be for Argentina."

Lionel Scaloni optimistic of Lionel Messi’s return with Argentina

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has revealed that he would be holding discussions with Lionel Messi at the turn of the year in order to convince the Barcelona star to return to the national team fold. The 31-year-old has declined to feature for the nation since their disappointing exit at the summer World Cup and during this period, Scaloni has taken interim charge of the country before earning the role on a permanent basis.

Speaking to reporters, Scaloni highlighted that he does not hold a regular communication line with the Barcelona superstar but they nevertheless have a fruitful connection between themselves. He added that fresh talks are planned with the attacker in the New Year after he previously met with his compatriot during the Copa Liberatores final in Madrid earlier in December.

Paulo Dybala emphasises the importance of Lionel Messi to Argentina

Juventus ace Paulo Dybala has stressed that Lionel Messi remains a key contributor for the Argentine national side but it is up to the Barcelona star to decide upon his return to international duty. The 31-year-old has not featured for his nation since the summer World Cup where they were largely disappointing before their round of 16 exit at the hands of Argentina.

Speaking after Argentina’s friendly game against Mexico, Dybala highlighted the importance of Messi saying: “We all want Messi back in the national team. We all know the importance of Leo for us, but it’s up to him. We are a group made up of many young players and we need the support of the people.”

Lionel Scaloni May Not Be Ready to Revisit Sergio Aguero Chapter Again

Argentina interim manager Lionel Scaloni claims that he has not been in touch with Sergio Aguero regarding the possibility of coming back to the national team after having had a spectacular start to his season with Manchester City. Aguero is the second top scorer for Argentina after grabbing five goals already in the Premier League. Even though he was part of the Argentina squad that played at the World Cup 2018, he has not been featuring in the recent friendly matches – a victory over Guatemala and a draw with Colombia.Scaloni has once again not pick the player for the upcoming clashes against Iraq and Brazil. Both games will be played in Saudi Arabia.

Scaloni has largely gone with young players for the recent squads and this has resulted in the departure of veterans like Ever Banega and Angel di Maria from the squad. After numerous disappointments at previous major tournaments, Argentina are undergoing a major shakeup in terms of the squad. Despite possessing some of the best players in the world like Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, they have been unable to get success. The closest Argentina have come close to success in recent decades is the World Cup final appearance in 2014.

Javier Zanetti: Lionel Messi has a lot of pressure to deliver for Argentina

Argentina legend Javier Zanetti believes Lionel Messi is under more pressure to deliver for the national side after witnessing them lose in the finals of the previous three major tournaments. The Barcelona star has won everything within reach at club level but he has yet to taste any form of glory with the Albiceleste.

Speaking to Mediaset, Zanetti admitted that Messi will once more be the focus of Argentina’s World Cup campaign and feels the burden will only increase on him, should the nation reach the final stages of the tournament, he said: “There is a lot of pressure on him, but not only in this competition but also in the past.

Lionel Messi wishes Argentina were more like Germany

Argentina international Lionel Messi has wished that his nation were more like Germany as they head into the summer World Cup in Russia. Joachim Loew’s side have undergone a tremendous transition from the World Cup triumph in 2014 and Messi is particularly impressed with the simplicity with which the Germans have regrouped.

He told TyC Sports: “I wish we were more like Germany and worked like them. They keep working on a long-term plan and rejuvenate the team at the right time.They’re already preparing for the next World Cup,they have a different way of preparing, letting people work, and judging them on what they do.”
Germany have included plenty of younger players in their squad for the upcoming global tournament and they seem to have already planned for the 2022 World Cup where they could still be under the guidance of Loew. The 58-year-old has witnessed the progress of the national team over the past 12 years and his achievements have seen recently seen him rewarded with a fresh four-year extension.

Diego Simeone: Lionel Messi ‘Decisive Factor’ In La Liga Pursuit

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has played down his side’s prospects of making a late challenge for the La Liga title. The Capital outfit currently trail Barcelona by nine points in the standings but Simeone has already admitted defeat after another Lionel Messi master class at Sevilla last weekend.

Barcelona were on course to suffer their first league defeat of the season after trailing Sevilla 2-0 during the second period, but they somehow managed to turn their fortunes around. The Catalan giants scored two late goals in the space of just 53 seconds, and the latter came from the feet of Argentina superstar Messi, who shocked the Andalusian faithful.

Lionel Messi Planning To Retire From International Football If Argentina Fail To Lift World Cup

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has suggested that he will retirement from international football, if Argentine fail to lift this summer’s World Cup in Russia. The 30-year-old has never won a major international trophy with his country, and this has created a difficult relationship between him and the country’s faithful.

Eden Hazard hails Lionel Messi as the 'greatest ever'

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has hailed Lionel Messi as the 'greatest ever' ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 tie versus Barcelona. The Blues are due to host the Catalan giants in the first-leg and Hazard is relishing the prospect of putting in a strong performance to help his side progress further in the competition.

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