Barcelona star Lionel Messi continues to recover from a thigh injury that has seen him remain absent since November.
Messi suffered the injury early in November, and it was decided by his Barcelona bosses to do without his services and instead nurse him back to full health.
Messi flew out to Argentina a few weeks ago and has been working on his fitness in a bid to resume sometime in the New Year, although no date has been set as of yet.
Team doctors at the AFA’s training complex delivered the encouraging news to Messi this week.
A statement on the AFA website read: “The tests carried out today at the AFA facility have confirmed that Lionel Messi has overcome the clinical stage of his injury.
“The player will begin next Monday with the third stage of his recovery process – physical preparation.
“He will do this in (his home town) Rosario under Barcelona physical trainer Elbio Paolorosso and members of the (Argentina) national team’s medical staff.”
In his absence, Messi’s club have managed to stay top of La Liga, and are through to the last 16 of the Champions League, while the King’s Cup gives them the opportunity to stay on course for a trio of trophies.
Another incentive for Messi is the opportunity to line up for his country in next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
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