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Messi out of Barca US tour

Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Barcelona’s squad for the two games against Napoli in the United States this week after injuring his calf in his first training session back.

Messi picked up the knock during training on Monday and will not travel to the U.S with the rest of his teammates, including new signings Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann and Junior Firpo.

“Messi withdrew from the session due to discomfort in his right leg,” Barca said in a statement.

“Tests carried out have diagnosed a grade one calf strain for the Argentine. Messi will remain in Barcelona and will now not travel to the USA for the club’s tour. His availability to come back to action will be dictated by his recovery from the injury.”

The Argentina international’s participation in the Copa America meant he wasn’t cited to return to training until Monday.

However, while he didn’t play, he was present for Sunday’s win over Arsenal at Camp Nou.

Messi expressed his disappointment on Instagram, posting a message that read: “I was looking forward to getting started but unfortunately I have had a setback in my first training session that’s going to rule me out for a short while.

In another development, Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny is on the verge of joining Ligue 1 club Bordeaux.

The France centre-back arrived in the French city on Monday after positive talks between the two clubs in London last week.

The player, 33, was optimistic that Arsenal would find a final agreement with Bordeaux to let him come back to France. The agreement was finalised late on Monday.

Upon the success of his medicals, Koscielny will sign a three-year contract. The transfer fee should be around €5 million in total. 

The Frenchman had fallen out with the English club during the summer for an unknown reason and refused to go on tour in the United States with the rest of the squad before the start of the season. –ESPN

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