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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Ben Hayward

Lionel Messi hands Ernesto Valverde major boost after returning to Barcelona training ahead of Dortmund clash

Messi watched on from the sidelines in Saturday's win over Valencia. (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona training on Sunday ahead of the Catalans’ Champions League clash away to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

The Argentine attacker is yet to feature for Barca this term after sustaining a calf injury on his return to pre-season training in August.

He was expected to be back by now, but suffered complications in his recovery as the scar reopened and he watched on from the stands at Camp Nou as Barca thrashed Valencia 5-2 in La Liga on Saturday.

“Good to see you again, Leo” Barca wrote on their Twitter account on Sunday alongside a photo of the 32-year-old with the ball at his feet in a practice match at the club’s training ground at Sant Joan Despi.

Messi will travel to Germany with the rest of his team-mates today as Barcelona kick off their Champions League campaign away to Dortmund in Group F on Tuesday night.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has not appeared for the Catalan club since their Copa del Rey final defeat against Valencia in Seville on May 25.

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