Report: Messi makes breakthrough during solo training sessions
Barcelona received good news on the injury front ahead of the season's first El Clasico with reports suggesting Lionel Messi has returned to outdoor training.
Messi took part in ball work and participated in running sessions at Barcelona's training centre, Ciutat Esportiva, on Monday for the first time since injuring his knee in September, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
The workout was described as a breakthrough in his recovery efforts after sustaining a tear in his internal collateral ligament.
He participated in another private session a week ago with Argentina physiotherapists Luis Garcia and Marcelo d'Andrea.
His original prognosis in the days after the injury against Las Palmas suggested Messi would be sidelined seven-to-eight weeks, which would put him in line to suit up for Barcelona's clash with Real Madrid on Nov. 21.
The upcoming international break will give Messi another two weeks to work toward fitness, but Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu stressed that the 28-year-old will not be rushed back.
"Leo Messi's recovery is going along the expected timeframe, but we have no intention to force anything," Bartomeu said at a Federacio Catalana de Futbol event. "If he is ready to play in the game, sensational, but if he is not, we have a lot of talent to beat them."
- With h/t to ESPNFC