EL Clasico: Messi set to make golden return

Today is another El Clasico and there is no doubt that football followers around the world will have their attention focused at the Bernabeu but most importantly the return of mercurial midfielder Lionel Messi who Barcelona says is ready to return to action after an injury spell.

Saliently, a big worry will be the heightened security ahead of this encounter in light of the recent shocking events that took place in Paris last Friday night.

It will mark eight days since terrorists attacked several areas of Paris.

The other focus will be the ri­valry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in their usual effort to out do the other.

While Ronaldo who opened a shoe line recently and is already angling for action, Argentina star, Messi who is plotting a sensational comeback from injury in the Bernabeu today had worked with Adidas to design the Messi15 footwear to announce his comeback.

The Argentina star and sports­wear giants Adidas have designed a special pair of boots for the occasion.

Known as Messi15, they look classier than most modern boots owing to their fundamental black and red colour scheme.

There is a flash of green on the forefoot – known as the Messi ‘M-Shield’, apparently – but they had to stand out somehow.

Messi hasn’t featured since go­ing off injured in the win against Las Palmas in September.

He wasn’t deemed ready to link up with Argentina this week for their World Cup qualifiers with Brazil and Colombia.

But Barcelona fans are hope­ful of a sensational return in the Bernabeu after he returned to training this week.

Luis Suarez and, in particular, Neymar have stepped up in his absence, leaving Barca sitting pretty at the top of La Liga, three points clear of Los Merengues.

And the Blaugrana could now have the edge for the title six-pointer, with Messi set to be included in Luis Enrique’s squad. The only ques­tion is whether he plays from the start or begins on the bench.

Utility man Adriano has backed the four-time Ballon d’Or winner to return to play his part.

Speaking last week, he told Mundo Deportivo: “He is recovering very well, doing everything to get to the game and to have him in the team changes a lot.

“There’s a dif­ference when he plays or doesn’t, but in his absence we’ve managed to come together and move forward in matches.

“Every day he’s been the Leo we’re accustomed to: laughing, joking, and doing things with confidence.

“Would I put money on him playing in the Clasico? Hope­fully, yes.”

In recent years, the rivalry has been “encapsulated” by the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but has extended follow­ing the star signings of Neymar and Luis Suárez to Barcelona, and Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to Madrid, the rivalry has been expanded to a battle of the clubs attacking trios, BBC (Bale, Ben­zema, Cristiano) vs MSN (Messi, Suárez, Neymar). Agency report