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Lionel Messi is finally getting a rest after a hectic start to the season that has seen him play every single minute.
The Barcelona ace played all 90 minutes for Argentina in their 1-0 win over Russia on Saturday but has been allowed to miss their next fixture against Nigeria.
Argentina confirmed via Twitter that Messi was now heading back to Barcelona.
[SELECCIÓN MAYOR] Lionel Messi fue desafectado y no estará en Krasnodar ante Nigeria. Viaja tras la victoria ante Rusia rumbo a Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/MgR6OHlvGR
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) November 11, 2017
Barcelona have already shown how Messi, along with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, has played every minute of the club’s La Liga & Champions League campaign so far.
Team Leaders: Minutes
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 8, 2017
(All Competitions)
1️⃣5️⃣3️⃣0️⃣ L. #Messi
1️⃣5️⃣3️⃣0️⃣ M. Ter Stegen
1️⃣3️⃣9️⃣7️⃣ S. Busquets
1️⃣3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ S. Umtiti pic.twitter.com/S65teW5eps
Hopefully, Messi will be fresh when domestic action resumes next weekend with Barcelona set for three tough away fixtures against Leganes, Juventus and then Valencia.