Five time Ballon d’ Or winner Lionel Messi is set to make his first appearance for Barcelona in the 2019/2020 season after recovering from calf injury he suffered in August.
The 32 year old who returned to full training on Monday has been included in Ernesto Valverde’s 22 man squad who will be travelling to Germany for their first Champions’ League group fixture against Borussia Dortmund at Westfalenstadion.
The Argentine has been out of action since sustaining a calf injury in pre-season, following his return to Camp Nou from the Copa America.
Messi will travel to Germany with his teammates later today, as Barca prepare to open their latest Champions League campaign.
The Spanish champions have been drawn in Group F, alongside Dortmund, Inter Milan and Slavia Prague.
The Barcelona’s star man has not featured for his club since Copa del Rey final defeat against Valencia on May 25, with Valverde having to make do without a prized asset at the start of the season.
The Blaugrana are fifth in La Liga after four matches, posting wins over Real Betis and Valencia while also suffering an opening day defeat against Atheltic Bilbao and drawing with Osasuna.
Second choice goalkeeper Neto has also been included in Valverde’s latest squad after a spell on the sidelines with a hand injury.
Also included in Valverde’s 22 man list is wonder kid Ansu Fati who have had an impressive league display scoring a goal and giving an assist on his maiden start for the club against Valencia, after becoming the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history with his strike at Osasuna last month.
Barcelona will be hoping they can improve on last season’s semi-final showing in the Champions League, which saw eventual winners Liverpool spring a stunning second-leg comeback at Anfield.
Before the start of their latest campaign, Messi pledged Valverde’s men will “fight for everything again”, insisting he had no regrets over how things turned out last term.
The Argentina international was expected back on August 25 when Barcelona faced Betis at Camp Nou, but his scar reopened which extended his time away from the pitch for a couple of extra weeks.
