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Why Messi will not play for Barcelona in La Liga opener tonight

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi [Courtesy]

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said he would not risk an unfit Lionel Messi in Friday’s La Liga opener against Athletic Bilbao and continued to be non-committal about Neymar re-joining the club from Paris St Germain.

Barca’s all-time top scorer and captain Messi injured his calf in training before his side’s brief pre-season tour of the United States and has not yet returned to full training a day before his side visit Athletic.

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Messi Barcelona