3rd January, 2014
The long-awaited return to action of Lionel Messi took a step closer on Friday, cheered on by a healthy crowd of expectant fans at the Miniestadi, as Barcelona held a traditionally festive open-doors training session.
FCBarcelona.com says Messi, who scored a hat-trick in the practice match, was one of the main attractions of a session watched by an astonishing 13,200 spectators in the Miniestadi.
The goals in that game were celebrated by the fans as if they had been scored in an official game, with Messi showing that he has returned in fine shape from Argentina by scoring three goals for his team.
Neymar was also in good form, and could have scored one of the best goals of the day, but despite rounding Pinto in style, his angled finish missed the target, and Messi was just too late to knock the ball in at the far post.
Adding to the excitement for the gathered crowd, was the opportunity to see a seemingly fully recovered Messi scoring goals in a training match, as the Argentine star showed no ill effects and looked to be back in the best of shape, in what was his second training session with the rest of the team since returning from his Rosario home.
Report says the crowd were rewarded for their support after the session, as the players addressed the crowd, gave articles to members of the crowd, whilst also presenting gifts and having photos taken with members a disabled fan group that was present.
Although Carles Puyol and Dani Alves weren’t present at the training session, there was another ray of good news in the form of midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who returned action in front of the fans, following his long-term injury lay-off.