Argentinian forward Lionel Messi has been included in Barcelona’s squad for the Champions League final against Arsenal in Paris, despite having not played for more than two months.
The 18-year-old prodigy trained with the team on Monday but has not yet been given the all-clear to play by club medical staff.
Messi tore a thigh muscle during the second leg of his side’s Champions League knockout tie against Chelsea on March 7.
“The fact that Messi will be with us will make us stronger but we don’t know if he will play in the final,” Barca midfielder Deco said.
Deco, the only member of the present Barca squad to have won the European Cup after helping Porto lift the trophy in 2004, played down Barcelona’s role as favourites.
“There are no favourites for any final and we are going to have to suffer a lot if we want to win it,” said the Portugal international.
“We can’t say we are the better team and even if we were it wouldn’t guarantee us victory. If you don’t respect your opponents things can start going wrong.
“Milan were winning 3-0 last year against Liverpool and ended up losing in the end. We need to be serious, calm and fully concentrated so that we don’t make any errors.”
