I Am Available To Play For Barcelona - Lionel Messi

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The mercurial winger has revealed his relief that Argentina have qualified for the World Cup...

Oct 15, 2009 8:58:02 PM

Juan Manuel Vargas-Lionel Messi - Peru-Argentina

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Juan Manuel Vargas-Lionel Messi - Peru-Argentina

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Lionel Messi

After helping Argentina through their final two qualifying games, thereby securing their passage to the World Cup finals in South Africa, Lionel Messi has insisted that he is available for Barcelona this weekend.

The Blaugrana arranged for a private plane to fly Messi back early from the Argentina camp today with the hope that he can recover his fitness in time for Saturday's match.

"It depends on the coach, but I am here to play," Messi is quoted as saying by Marca.

"I have been able to arrive [in Barcelona] sooner than expected thanks to the club, and I have a day to rest."

Messi added that he was relieved Argentina had qualified for the World Cup finals, and hoped that it would go some way to alleviating the pressure on coach Diego Maradona.

"There has been much talk and criticism of the team, of Diego, and we had to qualify.

"Beyond all that has been said, Argentina could not be out of the World Cup," he concluded.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

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