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Barca's Messi misses training

Xinhua, February 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Barcelona confirmed Monday that Argentine star Lionel Messi missed training due to "personal reasons".

"Messi hasn't trained today, with the permission of the club, due to personal reasons," the La Liga giant said in a statement.

It is just over a month since the four-time World Player of the Year missed another training session, claiming to be suffering from gastroenteritis, one day after he had been left on the bench for Barca's 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.

Messi's absence on that occasion sparked a crisis at the club as speculation grew over coach Luis Enrique's future due to his relationship with the star player.

However, since then Barca had a eight-straight victories to move into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and remain just a point behind arch-rival Real Madrid.

Messi continued his fine form with the winning goal as Barca came from behind twice to beat Villarreal 3-2 on Sunday. Endi