Barcelona will manage Messi's minutes as they chase treble
Barça want to avoid making groin problem any worse at any cost
Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona training on Wednesday after four days off. The Argentine returned to international football on Friday but a groin problem ruled him out of his country's second game and he was able to have some time to rest.
It wasn't a case of enjoying privileges but part of a bigger decision to manage his work load and avoid taking risks on his injured groin.
Messi's had pain there since January and it's not strange to see him feeling the area during games after sprints.
Barça's medical team -- and coach Ernesto Valverde -- understand that forcing Messi would only make the problem worse. If that happened, the only way to fix it would be surgery, something everyone wants to avoid.
The Catalan club want to keep enjoying Messi in the important games between now and the end of the season and avoid any type of operation.
The medical team have examined him on several occasions and continue to do so. They believe the best way to fix the issue, to prevent it getting worse and needing surgery, is rest.
Keeping in mind that at this stage of the season it will be tough for Barça to go without Messi for a period of games, they have opted for an immediate solution: give him rest in whatever way they can.
That's why he had four days off this week. Barca want Messi in the best condition possible and will have to keep on top of his physical state with the games they have in front of them. On Saturday, it's Espanyol, then it's Villarreal on Tuesday.
There are just two months left of competition but from now Barça will try to manage their star more than ever. There's the Champions League quarterfinals and the Copa del Rey final to come.
Barça will use the advantage they have in La Liga (10 points clear of Atletico) to rest Messi when they can so he's in shape for the Champions League. There are a maximum of 16 games left in all competitions and he is not going to play all of them.
They key is keeping him fit for the big games. Antoher option is to manage his participation in training. So it won't be strange if he skips the odd session.
