Tuesday, 19th November, 2013
Former Argentina fitness coach Fernando Signorini believes Lionel Messi's injury is a blessing in disguise for both club and country.
Messi is sidelined until the new year with a hamstring tear with the Barcelona player gearing up for Brazil 2014.
Playing for Argentina is still on the agenda and Signorini, who was part of the national set-up at South Africa 2010, is confident Messi will have gained more than lost with this unexpected rest period.
"Messi reached a limit and it had a reaction", Signorini told Spanish daily Sport.
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"The injury being eight months before the World Cup will end up favouring him because it gives him a chance to recover both physically and mentally.
"By stopping, it serves him to relax and unwind, while others are still required to perform. Leo will grow and learn to manage his anxieties and emotions."
There had been some suggestions that Messi was forcing himself to play to the extremes, especially with Barcelona, which caused his injuries, but the Argentine hit back yesterday.
The 26-year-old said: "As long as I feel good, I'll play whenever I am needed. No need to look for things where there are none. All that is said beyond that are inventions."
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