Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Ernesto Valverde Warns Lionel Messi 'Has to Go Slowly' in Bid for Best Form

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has called for patience as Lionel Messi regains his top form and said the Blaugrana talisman "has to go slowly" before he's back to his best.

Messi, 32, has been sidelined for half of Barcelona's 10 matches this season due to injury, but the captain made a goalscoring return for his side when they hammered Sevilla 4-0 before the international break.

Valverde spoke at a press conference on Friday and said: "He is in the process of being 100 per cent fit. The other day he played 90 minutes and scored, and that always reassures the strikers.