FC Barcelona's magician, Lionel Messi is ready to continue where he left off.


After being injured against Valencia, the Argentine is rearing to take on Racing Santander as the Catalan giants battle their next opponents in the La Liga race that has been heated up after Real Madrid opened a 7 point lead at the top of the table. Messi was widely expected to upset events in the el clasico and score against Real Madrid, but the youthful striker who bagged a hattrick against Real Madrid last season was unavailable for the match. Now Messi wants to make amends with a spectacular display against Santander. Two other players, Oleguer and Pinto have also been included in the squad. Oleguer is returning from injury while Pinto will be playing his first match for Barca after being signed on a six-month loan deal from Celta Vigo.


The full squad to play Racing Santander includes:


Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Puyol, Milito, Thuram, Márquez, Sylvinho, Abidal, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Giovani, Bojan, Henry and Messi.

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi awaits medical all clear ahead of Racing Santander match.



The gifted Argentine was eagerly being awaited to out perform all players in the el clasico against Real Madrid, but the ugly hands of injury robbed the mercurial striker off that opportunity after an unexpected injury against Valencia condemned Messi to the hospital for five weeks prior to the el clasico. Now Messi is ready to return and make amends for his absence in the ill-fated cracker against the League leaders. Racing Santander may likley be the first to test Messi's venom, with the next match invloving FC Barcelona being a home game against Sanatander in the La Liga. The absence of players like Samuel Eto'o may have denied Barca scoring against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey, so a striker of Messi's calibre will greatly compliment the brilliant efforts of Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic in the front of the Blaugrana attack. The final medical all clear is being awaited form the Barca medical department before Lionel Messi laces his boots once again.

Edmilson returns to the hospital after just coming out hale and hearty.



The Brazilian was widely seen as the solution for Toure Yaya who has left Camp Nou to be with the Ivorien national team as they prepare for the African Nations Cup. Jose Edmilson has been out for six months, and was no doubt in great form since his return. In the 75th minute against Sevilla, the midfielder limped out and was later diagnosed with a slightly ruptured muscle that will see him out of action till February, as the injury wil take at least 2 weeks to heal. This comes as a big blow to defensive midfield plans in Barca, but the technical guru which Frank Rijkaard is has encouraged hope. The Dutchman will have to re-work his plans and pattern as well as players being fielded in what positions in order to accomodate the change coming after Edmilson's injury. The first test to this new selection will be against Murcia in 2 days time.

After shooting at Sevilla, Carles Puyol takes a shot at rumour mongers.



The Barca captain has responded to latest media suggestions that Deco and Ronaldinho are suffering for not playing well against Real Madrid in the el clasico. Deco in particluar has been singled out for this critisim and suggestion. External conclusions are therefore, that the two, especially Deco, have become scapegoats for the pre-Christmas disaster. Puyol rejects this claimand goes ahead to re-emphasize Barca's readiness to win all trophies this year by mainataining a winning form as exhibited in the first match against Mallorca this year. Puyol fumes:

Some suggest Ronaldinho and Deco are not injured, but are merely being rested for other reasons. This is a very improper thing to suggest. It shows a complete lack of respect to doubt that they are injured. I have talked to both of them and not only do I believe them, I would do anything for either of them. What people on the outside say about this does not affect me at all. We know what problems we face in here with injuries and solving it is what we are focussed on, while maintaining our focus on playing well and winning.

FC Barcelona play their next match against Murcia in Camp Nou on January 12, 2008 as the Blaugrana forge ahead in the La Liga.

Injury has continued to rule out Ronaldinho from action.



The Brazilian's tendinitis still has some healing to do, and as such will make Ronnie unavailable for the Copa del Rey match against Sevilla in Seville on Wednesday night. Ronaldinho has had a somewhat rough and unstable seaon due to his injury, and has not really maximised his potential as the knee ailment has slowed down his magical twists and turns. The press have capitalised on this to bombard the ears of anyone who cares to listen, accussing Ronnie of not caring enough about his game or his careeer anymore. However, injury remains the chief cause of Ronaldinho's lower scale performance this season.


Frank Rijkaard may have to start with a similar team he had with the victory against Mallorca, though this time, the likes of Toure Yaya will be absent as the Ivorien has linked up with his national team ahead of the Afrcan Nations Cup in Ghana this month.


In a few days time, the Barca medical department is expected to confirm if Ronaldinho will be available for the La Liga match involving FC Barcelona and Murcia at Camp Nou on the 12th of January.