Messi is one step closer to the return on the pitch, after two months of rest. Although Barcelona fans were expecting to see the Argentine footballer barely in the game with Atletico Madrid, scheduled on January 11 at 20:00 CET, Messi can walk on the grass first time in an official match with Getafe in Copa del Rey, Wednesday evening, January 8th at 22:00 CET.
It remains to be seen if coach Tata Martino will use Messi in the match against Getafe or took him in the lot to show fans that the star of Barcelona is 100% ready for the derby against Atletico. Normally he would be to start on the bench and tick a few minutes at the end of the game on Wednesday. In the group called by Martino is also included and Sergio Busquets, suspended in the match against Elche, while Xavi, Dani Alves and Marc Bartra still not recovering after injuries they suffered.
The squad called by Gerardo Martino in the match with Getafe: Valdes, Pinto, Montoya, Pique, Fabregas, Puyol, Pedro, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Neymar, Mascherano, Sergio Busquets, Song, Jordi Alba, Tello, Adriano, Sergi Roberto
Only a few days after this match, Barcelona has the opportunity to move away from Atletico Madrid atop of La Liga, but the Catalans will have hard time at Vicente Calderon, where they meet a team very well organized in the field by Diego Simeone.