Barcelona’s Lionel Messi Has ‘Small’ Strain; Jordi Alba Set To Be Out Of Action For 10 Days

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi picked up a “small strain” against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday while Jordi Alba has been ruled out for 10 days with a hamstring injury.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique allayed fears about Messi’s fitness by insisting he took the Ballon d’Or winner off at half-time only as a precaution.

The Barcelona coach withdrew Messi, who scored the first of Barca’s six goals against the Basques by netting from the penalty spot, for Arda Turan at the end of the first half with a right hamstring strain, but he hinted that the forward could still feature against Athletic Bilbao in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarter final first leg at San Mamés stadium.

“Messi will have tests tomorrow, he has a small strain and had a little discomfort so we preferred not to take any risks,” Luis Enrique said in a news conference.

Lionel Messi
photo credit: Marc Puig i Perez
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“We spoke about it at half-time and with the scoreline as it was we did not want to take risks. I don’t like taking risks with any player, so imagine what it’s like with Messi.”

However, Barcelona confirmed on their official website that Jordi Alba, who pulled his hamstring in the 69th minute against Athletic Bilbao, is expected to be sidelined for 10 days.

Paul Ayorinde

Football Transfer Rumours and Updates (June-2-2015)

It’s Sixty seven days to the Kick-off of the English Premiership and all the clubs in England and all across Europe are busy in the transfer market. here are some of the hot transfer gist and rumours making the rounds at the moment.

Real Madrid Midfielder Isco as been linked with a Summer move to Former BPL Champions Manchester City.

Meanwhile Manchester City’s top striker Sergio Kun Aguero is being rumoured as a target for Spanish Giants Real Madrid.

James Milner lookms set to Sign the dotted lines for Liverpool sometime this week, it is believed the England International would chose Liverpool over Arsenal.

Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko has claimed that Chelsea Boss Jose Mourinho is tracking his progress and he would be open to a move if approached.

Jordi Alba is reportedly set to extend his Barcelona contract till 2020

Gonzalo Higuain
photo credit: Nazionale Calcio
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Napoli Striker is believed to been keen on a move away from Italy And Arsenal Fc and Man United are believe to be interested.

New Real Madrid Coach Rafa Benitez will be unveiled on Wednesday at the Bernabéu.

Dynamo Moscow are believed to be interested in the signing of Free Agent André Pierre Gignac.

Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette has said he would be open to a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona even after top club officials announced that the player was not for sale.

Felipe Melo has denied rumours of any contact with Inter the Galatasaray midfielder has quashed all talk of a potential move to the Italian Club.

Borussia Dortmund’s Former coach Jürgen Klopp has once again confirmed that he would be taking a break from football for an unspecified period

Hugo Lloris as admitted that he’s thinking about his future, the french Goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Manchester United who might loose their number one Goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid.

Louis van Gaal is confident that he would capture the signature of former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves