FC Barcelona´s young supertalent Leo Messi did not take part in the open training session and remarks from coach Frank Rijkaard suggest that he will be out for the match on Good Friday against Villareal. If Barca´s wizzkid Leo Messi will be available for selection against AC Milan for the Champions League semi final first leg at San Siro on Wednesday next week is in doubt because Barca manager Frank Rijkaard does not want to rush the youngster into a too early come back. Rijkaard always considers the long term career of his players and he believes that he has to protect a youngster such as Argentinian international Lionel Messi. FC Barcelona will benefit much more to rest and protect a young talent like Messi than rushing him to early into action. FC Barcelona have the luxury that players like Larsson, Giuly and Ezquierro can substitute the player at any time.


Lionel Messi suffered a tear in his right hamstring in the Champions League last sixteen fixture against Chelsea at Camp Nou. Since than he has been receiving all the medical treatment and attention of Barca´s medical staff but the recovery takes longer than expected. Barcelona coach Rijkaard will not select young Messi for tomorrow´s La Primera Liga match against Villareal and might even not bring him on against AC Milan for the sake of his long term career.