The Argentina international is back in the city after undergoing much of his rehab at home in Rosario and said: "I am OK, I do not know when I will be back, but now I have greater desire to reappear than when I was in Argentina and I want do so as soon as possible.

"I have talked to the doctor and the coach and we've decided not to take risks. When we all agree, I will come back."

Messi has been plagued by thigh and hamstring injuries in the last two years and added: "I will continue playing as I did until now. I've known this club since I was small, I grew up here as a footballer and I will never give up. I am not afraid of anything."